A Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) building has been illegality occupied by private persons at Ambedkar Nagar, a Dalit colony near Whitefield. Ironically, despite repeated complaints to the water utility, no action has been initiated. 

For the past two years, two rooms constructed above the water tank have been occupied by private persons to run a real estate business. The rooms were constructed in 2002 for the waterman and to place pumps. The tank had been built on the ground floor and above it, two rooms were built by the BBMP which now comes under the ambit of the BWSSB. As the tank of around 2 lakh litres capacity is not being used, the private persons allegedly broke open the locks of the rooms for unauthorised occupation. 

Sonnappa T., a government school teacher, has raised complaints with the BWSSB and the BBMP officials requesting them to evict the unauthorised users. Mr. Sonnappa said the building, if not used for the purpose it was built for, could be utilised by the BWSSB for other purposes.

“Daily, five persons sit in the rooms from morning to late evening. These men enjoy the backing of a local real estate goon. They use these rooms for discussions, making calls, and other real estate works,” he alleged. 

Mr. Sonnappa further said his complaints registered with the BWSSB had no effect as they continue to operate on the same premises. “As the building was built by the BBMP, I have even informed local BBMP authorities to prod the BWSSB to take action. But nothing has worked so far. The BWSSB should evict these men and clear the rooms,” he said. 

A local BWSSB official said he has received a complaint about the problem, but when he visited the place, the rooms were locked. “I will make multiple visits and ensure that action will be taken. I have also informed about the problem to my superiors,” he said.