Bangalore:
Unlike many other wards there is no acute shortage of water at most of the areas in Ganganagar Ward. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities have taken measures to supply borewell water but the residents want the BBMP to ensure Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) supply Cauvery water to them.
The residents in many areas of the ward have to either depend on the borewells or buy water from private suppliers for drinking and cooking. "We have no option but to depend on the borewell water. We have to filter it before drinking,'' says Nagavenamma, a resident of 1st Main Road, Ganganagar.
Areas such as UAS Campus, KEB Layout, UAS Staff Quarters, Visvesvaraiah Nagar, Reserve Bank Colony, HMT Layout, Ganga Nagar, Venkappa Block, Gundappa Block are some important areas in the ward.
Two-wheeler riders have to be a little extra cautious while passing through the 5th Main Road of Ganganagar. A number of potholes have developed on this road making it difficult for the two-wheeler riders to use the road. Many vehicles were parked haphazardly on 1st main of Ganganagar. "Potholes were developed near Balaji Jewellery Shop more than a year ago but the authorities concerned did nothing about it till date,'' says a shop-owner on condition of anonymity.
There are some residents who appreciated the good work done by Corporator V Anand. "We are happy with the water supply and roads. As of now, we have no grievances,'' says H Rajesh, a resident of 4th Cross, Old Ganganagar.
Meanwhile, V Anand, Corporator says that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had allotted Rs 5 crore last year to take up various development works in the ward. "The funds were spent to strengthen and develop open drains at various localities. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike dug five borewells to mitigate the water woes at a few localities,'' says Anand.
However, the residents of Bhuvaneswari Slum, Papanna Huts, a few areas of Hebbal and Ganganagar Extension blame the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike authorities for their negligence to equip the borewells with water pumps. "What is the use of digging borewells without utilising the water?'' asks a resident. A defunct water tank that was constructed a few years ago to provide drinking water for commuters at the Ganganagar Bus Stand needs an immediate attention of authorities concerned. "I have a plan to construct an overhead water tank to ensure drinking water for the commuters,'' maintains the Corporator.
He adds that the 5th Main Road of Ganganagar will be asphalted shortly. He concludes saying that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had allotted Rs 2 crore for this year to take up various development works.