From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 27: With builders of apartments going ahead with construction and sale of apartments without making adequate arrangements for a basic necessity like drinking water, the State Government is seriously considering clamping a five-year ban on granting permissions for construction of apartments, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons at his home office, Dr Parameshwara, who is also minister for Bengaluru Development, lamented that a large number of apartment buildings have been constructed in the City without assuring suitable drinking water supply while selling the apartments. This has resulted in majority of the apartment owners relying on water tankers for their drinking water requirements, which has led to skin ailments and other health hazards, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the State Government was seriously considering enforcement of a five-year moratorium on grant of building permissions for construction on apartments. ``We will discuss the issue with all builders and developers soon before taking a final decision,’’ he said.

Dr Parameshwara felt the drinking water supply situation was likely to improve considerably in the next five years as plans are afoot for water supplies from different sources.

“We can revisit the issue after five years when the drinking water supply position improves,’’ he said.

He said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have been asked to verify if all the existing apartment buildings in the city have installed Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). 

The Cauvery fifth phase of drinking water supply project presently under implementation is insufficient to meet the growing demands for drinking water in Bengaluru, he said pointing out that the State Government had commissioned a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to examine the feasibility of bringing the water flowing into the sea after power generation from the Linganamakki dam. 

As the Linganamakki proposal is facing opposition, Dr Parameshwara said the next steps will be taken after examining the pros and cons only after receiving the DPR. 

The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the State Government had dropped the proposal for constructing the Steel Bridge project from the Hebbal flyover and Basaveshwara Circle and the same had been conveyed even to the High Court. 

There was stiff opposition to the steel bridge project on account of allegations that it was likely to lead to corruption. However, a DPR for an alternative proposal for building an elevated corridor from the Mall till Chalukya junction is being prepared for which there is no opposition.

''After receiving the DPR, we will elicit public opinion and proceed further after obtaining consensus,’’ he added.