Water woes to bog Greater Bangalore

Water woes to bog Greater Bangalore
Deccan Herald

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials fear that the five new zones (seven urban local bodies) of the Greater Bangalore are bound to suffer severe water crisis.

Is Greater Bangalore facing the threat of acute water crisis, this summer? Yes.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials fear that the five new zones (seven urban local bodies) of the Greater Bangalore are bound to suffer severe water crisis. While, borewells happen to be the single source of drinking water for the residents here, as many as 390 borewells remain defunct.

120 new borewells

The officials are now demanding for 120 new borewells. A meeting of BBMP, BWSSB, BDA and Urban Development Department officials chaired by District In-charge Minister R Ashok, on Wednesday, chalked out a project worth Rs 15 crore to tide over the crisis. The project proposes to drill 120 new borewells, apart from deepening 210 existing borewells and repairing 180 others. “The project is urgent and I have ordered the five zones to float short-term tenders for revival of borewells. While, the BBMP will call for a 7-day tender for drilling new ones. I have given a deadline of 30 days for completion of the project,” said Mr Ashok.

Hoping to tackle the problems of groundwater contamination and a sinking watertable, he said, “Testing the quality of water in all these borewells is a must. While, the existing borewells will need to be deepened as there is no water available at a depth of 300 ft.”

Beyond Cauvery

“It is time to look beyond Cauvery for our drinking water needs. Even the new project costing Rs 16.65 crore (of adding 100 million litres of water per day) will cater to only 35 to 50 new wards. We must give impetus to rainwater harvesting and recycling,” Mr Ashok added.