Residents drown in sewage here

Residents drown in sewage here
The Times of India

Bangalore: Early in the morning, when the sun’s golden rays fall on a seemingly serene stretch of water, you are reminded of the famed Lake District in England.

But wait a minute. Before you begin to have such fanciful notions, an unbearable stench hits you. The ‘lake’ in question — at BTM Layout’s IV, V and VI Stages — is just raw sewage. And in the past two-and-a-half years, not only has it spread over a couple of acres, but has also submerged an entire road and many BDA sites!

That the lake is a proper layout becomes evident by the row of streetlights in the middle. “These lights work, but those on our main road do not,’’ says G.B. Athri, who lives in Saraswathipura, BTM Layout IV Stage.

Athri has seen the ‘lake’ grow right from the time it was a small cesspool. “Initially, houses in V and VI Stages, coming under Shantiniketan Colony, had individual septic tanks. Two-and-a-half years ago, the BWSSB laid sewage lines without ensuring proper collection. The lake is the result,’’ he explains.

Residents of IV Stage, who live downstream of the lake, find it ironic that BDA has now unveiled its draft masterplan for the city’s development.

“The lake is visible evidence that our civic agencies neither plan nor coordinate when it comes to forming layouts,’’ says Athri, who has been knocking on the doors of BDA and BWSSB. The area comes under Bommanahalli city municipal council, but “it is helpless in the matter,’’ he maintains.

When it rains, the lake overflows onto Sir M. Visveswaraiah Road, which links IV-V Stage. Now, there is a permanent sewage pool there. Worse, as the area is in the throes of a building boom, heavy vehicles ply to and fro, spraying sewage on hapless passers-by. A nearby culvert, meant to carry away the sewage, is totally damaged. Some time ago, a BWSSB contractor did lay huge pipes to divert the sewage. Now, they lie submerged in the lake.

But, when contacted, BDA commissioner M.N. Vidyashankar insists that the lake won’t be there for ever. “It only becomes a lake when it rains,’’ he says. He admits that 12-13 BDA sites are now affected by the sewage. “BWSSB is laying a new line on Hosur Road, and as soon as that is done, this will be taken care of,’’ he says.
Health risk: Geeta Murthy, another resident and Athri, have heard such assurances before. What worries them more is that the lake is a veritable breeding ground for epidemics.

“Every day, buffalos come and wallow in the sewage and drink the water. And, residents here drink their milk. Imagine how unhealthy that is,’’ Athri added.

Is this what city planning is all about?