BMP to curb indiscriminate sinking of borewells

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 15. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is planning to restrict indiscriminate sinking of borewells in the City, particularly in old residential localities.

The decision is a result of an old building being damaged in Andanappa Galli in Chickpet area due to the drilling of a borewell on the adjacent site on Sunday.

The damaged building was pulled down by BMP personnel on Monday as it was found unsuitable for human habitation and also unsafe for surrounding buildings.

The BMP Commissioner, Mr. Ashok M.Dalwai, told The Hindu on Monday that he had directed his officers to restrict indiscriminate drilling of borewells, especially in old residential localities.

``The borewell was drilled on a site adjacent to the damaged building, though the sanctioned plan of the building on the neighbouring site did not have any provision for drilling a borewell. So, we have decided to restrict such activities in old residential areas,'' he said.

Following Sunday's incident, the Commissioner has directed his officers to start a survey of old and unsafe buildings in the City. Though the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) Act authorised the Commissioner to order the owners of old buildings to get them repaired or dismantle them, the whole process needed proper planning, he said.

``I have warned the Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) and Executive Engineers (EEs) to update the records of building plans. I have also asked them to sanction plans only if the applicants strictly adhere to norms under the building by-laws, failing which disciplinary action would be initiated against them,'' he said.

On the action to be initiated against the owner of the site, where the borewell was being dug, for deviating from the sanctioned plan, the Commissioner said the owner, Mr. Pawan Kumar, would be made to bear the cost of dismantling the damaged building.

It may be noted that the BMP is working on a proposal to make it mandatory for owners of all old buildings to obtain a structural soundness certificate from authorised engineers, architects, valuers and surveyors. A resolution to the effect was adopted in the BMP Council two months ago.

Over 50 workers, along with 15 tractors and four JCB excavators, are involved in the demolition of the damaged building.

Though work on clearing the debris started on Monday evening itself, it would take two more days to complete it, the BMP Engineers supervising work on the spot said.

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