BWSSB lodges complaints against 20 people for illegally drilling borewells

BENGALURU: Despite the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) ordering that no permission will be given for sinking new borewells, it has been found that they are being drilled illegally in the city in violation of the order.

The BWSSB issued orders that new borewells should not be drilled without its permission in view of the acute water shortage in the city. Despite this, 20 illegal borewells were found to have been drilled in recent days and the board has filed complaints against them.

BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar.

Following the water crisis in Bengaluru, the Water Board is implementing various measures to combat the shortage. As part of this, it has ordered that no new borewells will be drilled without prior permission. The 20 borewells that have been illegally drilled are in the South, East, KR Pura and Mahadevpura Zones of Bengaluru in violation of the order.

In one case where a borewell was drilled illegally in Vibhutipuram of K R Pura, a complaint was lodged with the police station. Following the increasing complaints, the water board has started a legal battle against those who drilled illegal borewells.

The chairman of BWSSB, Ram Prasath Manohar, has urged people to inform the authorities if any illegal borewell is being drilled and to file a complaint. “If people see drilling of borewells anywhere, dial 1619, and the department will send a team to verify the location”, he appealed.

Officials said that if borewells are being drilled illegally in the city, citizens can file complaints with the BWSSB. A case will be filed at the jurisdictional JMFC court under IPC Sections 33, 34, and 109. Violators may face punishment with a maximum of six months in jail.