Date:18/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041821470600.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BBMP to drill 100 borewells soon

Special Correspondent

`A sum of Rs. 683 crore set aside for infrastructure in BBMP Budget'

BANGALORE: To tackle drinking water problem in some of the localities in Bangalore, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be drilling 100 borewells in the next few days.

Addressing presspersons after a meeting with officials of the BBMP and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) here on Tuesday, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said some of the localities in the city had been facing drinking water problem in the summer. The officials of the BBMP and BWSSB have been instructed to take steps to ensure regular supply of drinking water in all localities, he said.

On drawing attention towards the poor infrastructure in the Greater Bangalore limits, Mr. Kumaraswamy said Rs. 683 crore has been set aside in the BBMP Budget for 2007-08.

To a question on encroachment of Government lands in and around Bangalore, he said the Revenue Department had recovered 7,000 acres of encroached lands. Out of 7,000 acres, the Government has decided to auction 600 acres soon, he said.

The Joint Legislature Committee on encroachment of Government lands headed by A.T. Ramaswamy, MLA, has identified encroachment of 18,447 acres Government land in and around Bangalore.