It’s a stink out there

It’s a stink out there
Overflowing drainages across the city have been a cause for concern for residents. BWSSB promises action, says it will start works, worth Rs 180 crore, to replace old, corroded pipes
Prathima Nandakumar | TNN

Bangalore: A neighbourhood park suddenly turns into a cesspool, manholes open up oozing sullage near hotels and eating outlets, roads turn into nightmares in monsoon and streams of sullage invade the length and breadth of the city. Who is to blame? The culprit is the decades-old and corroded network of sewer lines.
Making a beginning, the BWSSB has mooted a string of projects to strengthen the sewerage network in Greater Bangalore.
The first in line is the Rs 180 crore worth of ‘Rehabilitation of Sewers’ project taken up under the JN-NURM. “Within a month, the technical bids for the project will be floated. The project involves replacement of old sewer lines with a diameter of more than 450 mm with new durable pipes. This is hoped to provide a relief of at least 50%,’’ BWSSB officials explained.
That is not all. The major project will be integrated with two more projects — one to replace house service connections and another for the newly added areas of Greater Bangalore under the Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project.
Absence of a strong sewerage network may not only lead to breaching of sewage lines, but also put efforts to promote use of recycled water on the backburner.
The city has 14 waste water treatment plants (12 secondary treatment plants) with a total capacity of 718 million litres of sullage every day. But hardly 48% of its potential is being exploited as there is no network to convey all the sullage generated in the city to the treatment plants. The remaining 52% of sullage is simply being flushed into natural drains, valleys and river. “We can reduce consumption of drinking water for non-domestic purposes by running the plants to their full capacity and also by promoting use of recycled water,’’ explained an official.
The BWSSB hopes this project could make a difference — refreshing streams of water running in the valleys, cleaner parks, pavements and roads even during monsoon. Most importantly it will cut energy costs incurred on pumping water from 100 km.
OPERATION CLEAN-UP
Rehabilitation or remodelling of sewers: Covers main sewers in old BMP area, distance — 55 km, estimated cost — Rs 180 crore; status — technical bids to be invited soon.
Remodelling of house service connections: To cover 5 lakh house connections; status — technical bids to be invited.
KMRP: Covers newly added BBMP areas (erstwhile CMCs); status — technical consultants already fixed.