No respite for residents yet

No respite for residents yet
By S Lalitha, DH News Service, Bangalore:
The troubled parts fall under Maranahalli Tank Bund area of the 18th main, of this block. Sewage diverted through the sanitary pipeline from 41 'A' main enters second and third cross of the area, making life miserable.

Unpleasant sights and bad odour emanating from overflowing drains have been a part of daily life for residents of some pockets of Jayanagar 9th block for over a year now. With no permanent relief in sight, despite repeatedly knocking at the doors of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) office, residents find themselves in an helpless situation.

The troubled parts fall under Maranahalli Tank Bund area of the 18th main, of this block. Sewage diverted through the sanitary pipeline from 41 ‘A’ main enters second and third cross of the area, making life miserable.

No solution


Santa Clara Flat Owners Association on the third cross has submitted many written representations to the BWSSB office, but no solution has been forthcoming. “If the overflowing sewage problem is not redressed, it is bound to create serious health problems,” said a representative.

“The health problems are already showing on my eight-month old granddaughter,” opines Padmini, whose house lies next to the flat.

“I am not able to bring my granddaughter outside the house, thanks to the foul smell and the possible infections that may arise. She catches cold often and suffers from skin irritations, due to the drain running just outside my house,” she adds.

The owner of the house, Gopal, recalls the countless times he has walked upto the local office seeking redressal.

“The employees come once in a while and use suction pipe to suck out the waste, but the problem recurs,” he adds.

The overflow from the drainage is terrible during rains, residents express.

Mohammed Nusratullah, secretary of the Minar Masjid on second cross, said that unless the entire drainage system is set right, the issue will continue.

Work in progress

Jayanagar MLA Vijay Kumar assured that a solution was in sight in a month’s time along these stretches. Bigger sanitary pipelines with 9 inches or 18 inches diameter were being installed for a stretch of 2.5 kms from the 9th block east to 5th main of 4th block.

To be redressed
“All intercepting lines will be connected to these main lines and the problem of blockage will be redressed,” he said. “Work was started a month ago and we unexpectedly encountered a rock and we are blasting it. It will be ready in a month’s time,” he reiterated.

Most water and sanitary pipelines in Jayanagar and J P Nagar were between 30 and 40 years old. “All the pipelines in these areas were being replaced for a sum of Rs 65 crore and is expected to be ready within three years’ time.” When completed, there would be no problem at least for a decade in the area, the MLA assured.