NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government is contemplating a five-year ban on construction of multi-storeyed residential buildings in view of the acute water crisis.
The deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister G Parameshwara said that the proposal comes in the wake of apartment residents in city suburbs rely on pure tanker water for both drinking and domestic purposes.
The rampant use of tanker water has led to residents suffering from various skin problems and health hazards. “We will discuss the issue of imposing a five-year moratorium on permissions for the construction of apartments with all builders and developers in the coming weeks and will make a decision,’’ he said.
To solve the water problems, Parameshwara said that the government has directed concerned officials to prepare a detailed project report for the proposed Linganamakki Project, which would see the water from the Netravati river diverted to Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur.
The government’s proposal comes in the view of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s ongoing Cauvery Water Supply Phase. The BWSSB’s project, which aims at providing drinking water connections to the suburban areas of Bengaluru, is likely to be completed in the next five years.
“A five-year moratorium will ensure that each and every household gets Cauvery water connection before new apartments come up. But we must also take into consideration that the new constructions will come up due to increase in population. The question is whether the developers can come up with a way to provide 24-hour clean water supply for drinking and domestic purposes,” a source said.