Overflowing septic pit poses health risk

Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: While rains have abated and most of the streets in Bengaluru are dry, this particular road at Meenakshi Layout of Hagadur ward in Mahadevapura Assembly constituency remains perpetually damp with water overflowing from a septic pit.

With no let-up in sewage overflowing from the septic tank, the residents are worried it may affect their health in the long run. “We had no problems till a landlord constructed a multistoried building and rented it to a private company engaged in construction of Namma Metro. Around 100 workers are residing in that building that has no underground drainage facility,” said Sreenivas Reddy, a resident.

He said that he has complained to the building owner about this problem, but in vain. “Overflowing sewage from the septic pit has become a health hazard for us. The 2nd cross, with stagnated sewage water, may become a breeding place for mosquitoes thus making residents vulnerable to health problems,” he said.

According to the residents, the five-floor building was constructed without an approved plan from the competent authorities. They said around 100 workers are staying in 54 rooms of that building. “I have complained to the building owner as well as the supervisor of those workers about the nuisance. I have even threatened to lock their main gate from outside, but the building owner continues to ignore our complaints. I want the BBMP health officer to visit our locality to know our problems,” said Sujatha, a homemaker.

When informed, M.V. Subba Reddy, the owner of the building, has said that he has engaged a contractor to clean the septic tank on a daily basis. “I have been spending half of the rent I receive for emptying the septic tank every day. I agree that no one should let sewage water onto the road. Sewage from the septic pit overflows onto the road whenever the contractor fails to send the septic pit cleaning vehicle on time,” Reddy said.

He has claimed to have contacted the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) authorities as well as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities to ensure a proper UGD facility at Meenakshi Layout. “The authorities concerned have told me that they could not take up the work due to a land dispute,” he said, assuring that he would ensure no inconvenience to the residents.

However, the residents are not ready to take him seriously, as they have been receiving the same reply or assurance from him for the last four months.