RWH a must for all new buildings

RWH a must for all new buildings
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Soon, new buildings coming under BBMP limits will have to install rain water harvesting systems in their premises...


A law in this regard has been drafted and sent to the concerned departments for approval. The new law will be enforced shortly, according to BWSSB Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu.

The Minister spoke to the media after inspecting BWSSB works in Jayanagar on Monday.

This draft law states that all new buildings - whether commercial, public or semi public - should install rainwater harvesting systems. While it will apply only to new buildings in BBMP limits, the government is also contemplating extending this law to the rest of the State.

Theme park

A rainwater harvesting theme park, at a cost of Rs 32.2 lakhs, displaying different models of rainwater harvesting, will be opened at Jayanagar 4th cross, VI Main, V Block. The park will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister during the first week of November.

Other rainwater harvesting projects in Cubbon Park and Lalbagh will also be inaugurated on the same day.

A sum of Rs 16 crore was allocated to implement rainwater harvesting projects in the City, in this year’s budget.

Lake Development

The Minister also said that lakes around the City will be taken up for development in a phased manner. There are more than 178 lakes which are spread over 40 acres, 1406 which are below 40 acres and 114 which are under the Forest Department - all of which will be surveyed and developed in stages.

Currently, 29 lakes are being developed by the BDA and BBMP.

Naidu said that from Wednesday, Assistant Executive Engineers should visit their constituencies from 8 am to 1 pm, and check works with regard to complaints and grievances.

“All 147 wards should be covered. From 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, they should be available in the office, where the public can also approach them. This will be monitored by the Executive Engineer and Chief Engineer, who will report to the Chairman of BWSSB in this regard. The lower level officials should also cooperate,” he added.

Inquiry

The State government has decided to hold an inquiry into several works taken up by the BWSSB in the last five years. Naidu said the government will decide on the mode of inquiry, and the agency to conduct the inquiry in a couple of days. “The board has taken up several works without obtaining approval from the State Government. The chairman and board members took unilateral decisions without consulting the government,” he said.

The board took up the task of constructing a water filter tank at Tippagondanahalli, at a cost of Rs 4 crore. Within four years, the tank has developed cracks, and the purpose for which it was built has not been fulfilled. The inquiry will look into details of works taken up by the board without the government’s approval, the minister said. He warned that the government will not spare the guilty.

Jayanagar works

Naidu, along with BWSSB Chairman PB Rammurthy, inspected 1,92,214 mts of drinking pipe and 44,649 mts of feeder main in Jayanagar on Monday. The 3-inch pipes laid 50 years ago, and the PVC pipes in Jayanagar will be changed in phases and completed over the next two years, he said. “Tenders will be called for to change the 12-km PVC pipeline,” he added.

He also said that under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme, a majority of the BWSSB pipes will be changed in the city. Certain BWSSB buildings in the area, which are over 10 years old, will also be developed through the Water Board, he said.