Residents of J.P. Nagar and Jayanagar are up in arms against Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) that is replacing underground drainage pipes in those areas.
The residents’ grouse is that the contractors entrusted with the work are demanding money to restore the dug up roads and also to link the house connections to the main sewer line.
These residents had faced a similar problem a few months ago when their roads were dug up to replace corroded drinking water pipes.
“When we have already paid development fee and have been regularly paying property tax why should we pay every time they take up repairs and maintenance,” asked a retired BSNL employee. “The contractor has left the work incomplete in front of my house on the 37th Cross in Jayanagar 9th Block because I refused to pay. He asked me to pay money and also provide him with material to complete the work, which I refused,” she said, seeking anonymity.
Another resident pointed out that the contractors have been threatening that if they (residents) refuse to pay now they will end up spending more later.”
BWSSB Engineer-in-Chief T. Venkataraju said old pipes are replaced as they are corroded and often get blocked. Residents will have to get house connections linked to the main lines on their own. Stating that they need not pay the contractors, he said they could get it done through private plumbers also.
