Following the hue and cry over the water crisis in the city, Mayor S.K. Nataraj, along with officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) inspected the affected areas to understand the gravity of the situation on Saturday.
Although water supply has been restored in most areas after the problem that arose following a canal breach in Thorekadanahalli (T.K. Halli), the Mayor directed BWSSB Chairman P.B. Ramamurthy to start supply of water through tankers from Sunday.
More borewells
As promised, the board will drill more borewells in the worst-hit areas across the city, especially in the newly added areas. The Mayor will symbolically inaugurate work on one borewell in Madiwala on Sunday. “The situation has improved in most areas after the officials were cornered at Friday's Council meeting. But I have directed the officials to ensure that all areas get equitable supply from Monday,” the Mayor told The Hindu .
Problem in new areas
Admitting that drilling of more borewells in the city would further deplete the groundwater table, the Mayor said: “There is no other alternative, especially in the new areas, as they don't have any other source of water. We will drill borewells only in places where it is most needed.”
To rein in unscrupulous private water tanker operators who are cashing in on the water scarcity in the city, the Mayor said he would set up a committee headed by the BBMP Commissioner to study the private supply.
“The committee will look into the rates charged by the suppliers, the quality of water supplied and the source from where it is drawn. Based on the committee's findings we will fix a uniform rate for tanker supply. If the suppliers do not adhere to our rates, we will close down their operations,” the Mayor said.
BWSSB on the job
Mr. Ramamurthy said 18 teams comprising BWSSB officials from maintenance and project divisions will inspect various wards to study the water scarcity in the area. “The teams will examine whether the valves are properly opened and whether the supply hours are adhered to. In some places, the valves need to be opened at an angle to ensure equitable supply in elevated and low-lying areas. If there is a problem, the teams will see that it is corrected on the spot,” he said. He added that the BWSSB decided at the board meeting on Friday to purchase 30 additional water tankers.
