Water scarcity unlikely in city this summer

Water scarcity unlikely in city this summer

The Hindu

BWSSB to buy 23 new water tankers to reach vulnerable areas

# All the 48 tankers to be kept ready during summer
# Details of telephone numbers to be publicised
# Water leaks to be plugged in a scientific manner

BANGALORE: Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will ensure that there is no drinking water crisis in the city this summer. The board will soon buy new tankers to supply water to areas that may face scarcity.

Board Chairman Ashok Kumar C. Manoli announced this on Wednesday at the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Council meeting convened to discuss water problems in the city.

He assured citizens that there will not be any water problem this summer. "The water supply position is found to be satisfactory and we do not see any reason for a scarcity this time. We are preparing to supply water in tankers if there is a problem," he said.

Mr. Manoli said the board has placed orders for 23 new water tankers and 10 new jetting machines to clear clogged drains. "We have 25 tankers. We will keep all the 48 tankers ready to meet any crisis round-the-clock in summer. Details about the tanker numbers, timings and jurisdictional engineers will be publicised," he said.

Mini-water schemes

Mr. Manoli assured the members that the power connections to mini-water supply units installed by the board throughout the city will not be cut off. "Although there are differences among the board, BMP and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) over the payment of power charges for these units, we will ensure that the common man is not affected," he said.

Mr. Manoli said all water leaks will be plugged in a scientific manner in the next four months. Members from all parties complained about problems relating to water supply and sanitary connections in their wards. BMP Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam and Mayor Mumtaz Begum spoke.

Manholes

The other decisions announced by the board are: Manholes will be shifted from storm water drains; waiver of borewell charges on consumers will be placed before the board; officials will hold monthly meetings with corporators to discuss water problems; sanitary units will check leaks on a regular basis and officials authorised to deploy additional workers to tackle emergency works; computerised control of drinking water valves soon and potable water to be tested regularly.