A downpour remains a cause for worry

A downpour remains a cause for worry

Staff Reporter

Silt has not been removed from the narrow storm drain in J.P. Nagar 6th phase

# No repair work taken up on storm water drains
# Water enters houses during heavy rain

BANGALORE: The newly-laid road in J.P. Nagar 6th Phase near Puttenahalli Lake, which faced the rain fury in 2005, would give one the impression that the area has changed for the better. A close look, however, presents a totally different picture. There has been no repair work on storm water drains and a downpour remains a cause for worry for residents.

A visit by this reporter revealed that the residents of Ramanna Road, adjoining J.P. Nagar 6th Phase, are an anxious lot after the more rain was forecast.

Gopal Reddy, a resident of the area, said silt had not been removed from the narrow storm water drain. "How will water flow during a downpour?" he asked. He said water had entered his house and that of many others on Saturday night during heavy rain. "We are forced to live with this problem as we cannot afford to move out of our houses which we built with great difficulty," he added.

Another resident G. Anand said the erstwhile Bommanahalli City Municipal Council authorities did not act on the promises they made about widening the drain and building a proper sewage line. They laid a pipeline across the main road to let storm water coming from Puttenahalli Lake flow into the drain which passes along the road, close to the houses. "The authorities have not bothered to remove the silt," Mr. Anand said.

He said the problems of residents have multiplied. Owing to blockage of the pipleline, sewage mixes with drinking water, he claimed.