Illegal PGs and unchecked borewells leave residents thirsty in Whitefield

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Whitefield, once a quaint Bengaluru suburb, is now grappling with a parched reality.

The culprit? A surge of illegal Paying Guest (PG) accommodations and their blatant disregard for water resource regulations.

These unauthorised PGs, fueled by a construction boom, are drilling illegal borewells with reckless abandon, draining the neighbourhood's groundwater.

The consequences are dire for Whitefield's residents. Legal, long-time residents, who painstakingly followed regulations and obtained permits for their borewells, are now staring at dry taps.

Their daily routine revolves around expensive water tanker deliveries, laden with water high in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), posing health risks.

Srujan, a resident for almost 8 years, expresses concern over rampant illegal constructions in Whitefield.

The unauthorised breaking of land into cramped layouts with 6-7 floors per building is causing a spike in population, leading to the misuse of natural resources, especially groundwater.

He said, “The absence of Cauvery water supply compounds the residents' suffering. Urgent action is needed from authorities and the government to halt all illegal borewell drilling and construction activities.”

The frustration is palpable. Residents allege blatant connivance between corrupt officials and PG owners. Complaints of bribery and turning a blind eye to illegalities abound.

This "pay-todrill" scenario leaves honest taxpayers and law-abiding citizens thirsty and helpless.

Another frustrated resident who has lived here for almost 20 years said, “I have seen this area go from beauty to a symbol of corruption and rampant urbanisation. The greedy builders take advantage of desperate tenants and hence Whilefiend has turned into a PG slum.”

She said the rampant urbanisation led to an influx in population and hence the increased demand for water.

Raising a very crucial question, she asked, “In a 750 sq ft area, if a 5-floor building is constructed, what will be the situation of the natural resources in the area?”

The water table in Whitefield has plummeted in recent years, a direct consequence of this unregulated drilling.

This ecological imbalance threatens not just human health but also the fragile ecosystem of the area.

Shanthi Chandola, a Whitefield resident for 20 years, emphasises the need to conserve precious groundwater. She observes unchecked growth in Whitefield with illegal structures flouting regulations and unapproved constructions.

As a long-time resident, she added that she can feel that the groundwater level has depleted drastically over the years and several borewells laid legally a few years ago ran dry after the unplanned illegal urbanisation of the area.

Residents are raising their voices. Community groups are actively petitioning authorities, demanding strict action against illegal PGs and borewells.

Social media buzzes with stories of parched mornings and the financial burden of tanker water. The simmering discontent threatens to boil over.

Vinayak Joshi, another resident for 10 years and part of the RWA, raises alarm about the unchecked borewell digging in the area.

He highlights the illegal nature of these activities, impacting the shared groundwater resource.

While residents abide by regulations and pay fees, commercial property owners escape similar scrutiny, as seen in instances like the White Rose layout.

The lack of enforcement from officials results in the drying up of essential groundwater and contributes to noise pollution due to incessant drilling.