Residents forced to pay for fixing snapped power line as BWSSB, Bescom slug it out

BENGALURU: Lack of coordination between the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bangalore Electricity Supply company (Bescom) led to some residents of RT Nagar bearing the brunt, with damaged power lines. Not only that, they even had to pay from their pockets to get the underground power lines fixed.

Work has been going on to replace the old sanitary lines.

The BWSSB had taken up work to relay the sanitary line on 7th Cross, HMT Layout, Ganganagar Ward 20 last week and, in the process, damaged underground power lines. When the residents of the street demanded that the power lines be restored, the BWSSB pointed to Bescom. When the locals inquired with the Bescom officials, they denied responsibility.

Dheeraj, a resident of 7th Cross, HMT Layout in RT Nagar.

Finally, both the utilities said the power will be fixed if the residents pay for it. Then, one of the residents paid the contractor from his pocket to get the damaged power line fixed.

Other residents complained of dust and incomplete work.

“For the last 25 years, the sewage pipelines had not been changed. Now, the BWSSB is replacing the 6-inch pipes with 9-inch pipes in the area. In the process, they damaged the power line. The two utilities should hae coordinate and fixed the cable. The officials of BWSSB and Bescom came here, argued among themselves and left. Finally, I had to pay Rs 3,000 to get the power connection restored”, said Dheeraj, a resident.

Other residents also complained of dust due to the ongoing work and the danger posed to children using the road. “The workers leave the gates of houses open and this can be dangerous and thieves can get in easily”, the said.