BWSSB inaction leaves building illegally occupied
A Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) facility in Ambedkar Nagar, a Dalit colony near Whitefield, has been illegally occupied by private individuals for the past two years, raising civic and urban governance concerns. The building, originally constructed to support water supply operations, has become the centre of unauthorised activities, allegedly under the influence of a local real estate goon. Despite repeated complaints by residents, including government school teacher Sonnappa T., no substantial action has been taken by the BWSSB or Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The structure, built in 2002, includes a water tank on the ground floor with two rooms above it designated for housing water pumps and accommodation for the waterman. However, as the tank, with a 2-lakh-litre capacity, has fallen into disuse, private persons broke open the locks to occupy the rooms. These spaces now serve as offices for real estate dealings, with at least five people operating from the premises daily. Residents claim the misuse reflects the negligence of civic authorities and a lack of accountability in addressing unauthorised occupations.
The incident highlights broader urban governance issues, particularly the failure to optimise public infrastructure for community benefit. Residents argue that the abandoned BWSSB facility could be repurposed for various public utility projects. Instead, the unauthorised occupation not only breaches civic trust but also underlines the loopholes in law enforcement. While a local BWSSB official assured action, his efforts so far have been limited to superficial visits. The continued inaction has deepened frustration among residents, who feel their grievances are being overlooked.
From a sustainability perspective, such cases of public infrastructure misuse undermine the principles of resource efficiency and equitable urban development. The water tank, which could have bolstered water conservation efforts in a drought-prone city like Bengaluru, remains idle. Mismanagement of public resources not only exacerbates urban challenges but also diminishes opportunities for building sustainable cityscapes. Activating unused infrastructure for rainwater harvesting or community water storage could significantly benefit areas like Ambedkar Nagar.
