The family of Kargil hero Subedar R Balakrishna is living without potable water for the past two months. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has fixed new water pipes, but water is yet to flow in them.
The family of Kargil hero Subedar R Balakrishna is living without potable water for the past two months. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has fixed new water pipes, but water is yet to flow in them.
The pipes were damaged by Horamavu corporator Tejaswini’s husband, R Rajanna, after the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) & Centre’s jawan declared a war against the water mafia in the area. Balakrishna was also beaten up by Rajanna’s men.
MEG & Centre has transferred Balakrishna to Pune. His wife, Maragathe Mani Malai, and children are still living in fear. “We are still purchasing water from outside. On September 17, engineers from the BWSSB came to the house and said they will restore the damaged water connection. I suspected that Rajanna might have sent these people and sent them back. But the engineers came again the next day and said that they have been ordered by their higher-ups to restore the connection. So I agreed and they fixed the water pipe connection. But, the water supply has not been restored. I called up the engineers, who said the water supply had not been restored due to low pressure,” said Maragathe.
While the water pipes were installed, the BWSSB has not fixed the sanitary pipes. “I approached the police seeking restoration of the sanitary connection. But they said I need to fix it up myself. I cannot afford to spend money on the sanitary connection. This is unfair. For no fault of ours, Rajanna and his men had damaged the water and sanitary pipes,” she said.
Local Congress leaders visited Balakrishna’s house and expressed their support to family. “They promised to help us. I’m frightened as the issue has become political. I told them that we were from an army family and did not want the matter to be politicised,” said Maragathe.
The high court, which took up the matter, has issued notices to BWSSB, BBMP, the commissioner of police, the chief secretary and the home secretary.
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