Transport and city in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced recently that the city is unlikely to reel under water scarcity in summer. But for residents of Devara Jeevana Halli (D.J. Halli), water shortage has been there for decades, and the problem persists. Residents say they do not get Cauvery water supply. So they are forced to buy water transported in plastic pots to their doorsteps on a daily basis.
In other parts such as Indrapuram, Roshan Nagar, Tank Moholla and Doddanna Nagar, residents say they go all the way to Tannery Road Circle to fetch water from the lone public tap.
Haseena Begum, resident of Indrapuram in D.J. Halli, says: “In the past five years I have been here, every alternate day I have bought two pots of water for drinking purpose from locals who collect it from Tannery Road Circle. Each pot costs anywhere between Rs. 5 and Rs. 10.”
Many residents complain that politicians who had come seeking their votes during elections had promised to address water shortage, but till date nothing has happened on the ground.
Razia Sultana, resident of Roshan Nagar, says they drink borewell. But though they boil it before using, it has affected the health of the family members.
To a query, D.J. Halli councillor Sampath Raj claimed that water shortage was there only in a few parts of the ward.
Over the past two years, 60 borewells have been dug in the ward, the counsellor added.
He said a project to supply Cauvery water to D.J. Halli is being implemented. Once the supply begins, water meters would be installed.
“There are 6,500 households of which over 500 are metered. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will provide the meters at Rs. 750 each. With Rs. 25 lakh ward grant, 3,300 meters can be installed,” he said.
