Pramesh S Jain
B
engaluru:Dr.Ram Prasat Manohar,Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), has directed stringent action against the owner of Royal Bliss Apartment in Hegde Nagar,Thanisandra,for illegally connecting the apartment’s sanitary line to the Cauvery Stage 5 water supply pipeline.
BWSSB will pursue recovery of damages caused to neighbouring properties and financial losses to the Water Board.
The issue came to light after complaints were raised about severe water damage to neighboring properties following a sudden surge from the Cauvery pipeline in Hegde Nagar.
Upon investigation,BWSSB officials discovered that the Royal Bliss Apartment’s building owner had unlawfully connected the sanitary line to the Cauvery pipeline and concealed it with concrete.
This unauthorized connection,unsuitable for the pipeline’s high pressure,failed when the pipeline was commissioned last night.
Unable to handle the pressure of 12 kg per square centimeter,the illegally connected pipeline burst,leading to extensive property damage and the waste of clean drinking water,which had been transported from a distance of 160 kilometers.
The affected pipeline has since been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected,and is now ready to be transferred to the management department to serve water to 110 villages.
BWSSB Chairman Dr.Manohar emphasized,“This incident underscores the significant labor and resources the Bangalore Jalmandal invests to provide clean water to the city’s residents. It’s unacceptable for public resources to be compromised for individual gain.”
Taking this matter seriously, Dr.Manohar has instructed the authorities to file a criminal case against the building owner.
Additionally,BWSSB will file a civil suit to recover the financial loss incurred by BWSSB and the affected neighbouring properties.
Dr.Manohar has also directed officials to accelerate the detection of unauthorized sewage connections across the city,warning that criminal charges will be filed against any identified violators.
