The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has successfully completed testing the pipelines and supply system for the long-awaited Cauvery Stage V project. A final report has been submitted to the government, and BWSSB is now awaiting approval to begin commissioning the project, which aims to deliver Cauvery water to over 110 villages in Bengaluru.
Water Reaches Gottigere Reservoir
Although the official commissioning is still pending, Cauvery water has already reached the Gottigere Ground Level Reservoir (GLR), signalling significant progress in the project. According to BWSSB Chairman Ramprasat Manohar, homes in the designated villages could start receiving water within the next 10 days, pending government clearance.
“We have submitted the report to the government and are awaiting official confirmation to begin the commissioning process,” said Manohar.
Extensive Testing Completed
Despite the physical infrastructure for the project being completed in July, BWSSB took an extra month to conduct thorough tests to ensure the system’s reliability. Senior officials confirmed that the network, including pumps, valves, and trunk lines, has undergone extensive testing to ensure everything is in proper working condition.
“We conducted comprehensive tests on various components, including pumps, network lines, and valves. Everything is ready for commissioning,” a senior BWSSB official stated.
Concerns Over Pipeline Age
While BWSSB officials are optimistic, some residents of the 110 villages that will benefit from the Cauvery Stage V project have raised concerns about the condition of pipelines that were installed nearly five years ago. These residents fear that the ageing pipelines may delay the project further.
A resident of Horamavu said, “These pipelines, which serve homes, were laid a long time ago and have not been tested recently. This is worrying and may delay the project.”
In response to these concerns, Manohar expressed confidence in the quality of the pipelines, assuring that they come with a guarantee and are still in good condition. He also mentioned that any accumulated dirt would be flushed out once the project is commissioned. The board will prioritise water supply to residents who have paid for the connections and have been waiting for several years.
Tepid Response to Connection Drive
In parallel, BWSSB has launched a Cauvery water connection drive, encouraging residents in the affected villages to apply for water connections. However, the response has been lukewarm. Despite there being nearly three lakh households across these 110 villages, BWSSB has received fewer than one lakh applications for water connections.
Sources suggest that many residents are hesitant to apply until the project is fully operational and water begins flowing to their homes. Officials remain hopeful that more residents will come forward once the supply is commissioned.
Read More : Karnataka Launches “Nipuna Karnataka” Skilling Scheme for Guaranteed Employment
