UNIQUE PROTEST: Armed with a bed, blanket and mosquito net, Srinivas slept on the terrace of Ramagondanahalli ... Read More

BENGALURU: Fed up with the false assurances of civic authorities to supply water to his layout, Sreenivas M, 40, a resident of Immadihalli near Whitefield in east Bengaluru , resorted to a unique protest. Armed with a bed, blanket and mosquito net, he camped at the Ramagondanahalli BBMP office from Saturday to Monday, sleeping on the terrace.

Officials at the BBMP office initially ignored his act. But when the news spread and began to get traction both online and offline, they were forced to relent. On Monday, they promised to provide water connections to his layout within three days.

Sreenivas told TOI residents in his layout have been suffering for more than a year due to non-availability of water . “With the groundwater level plummeting, the only source is a borewell located 1.5km away. We have brought the problem to the notice of BBMP, BWSSB and public representatives on several occasions. Frustrated with their indifference, I decided to stay at the BBMP office till the demand was met,” he added.

Sreenivas, a hardware shop owner, has been living in Immadihalli for two decades. “Prolonged dry spell has worsened the water problem this year. Earlier, we used to get water from borewells in the vicinity. But this year, all of them dried up. We are not getting water even after digging up to 1,500 feet,” he said.

Some residents have been forced to rely on water tankers, which is burning a hole in their pockets. “A private water tanker costs Rs 500 per day for 3,000 litres of water,” said another resident of Immadihalli who hailed Sreenivas’s protest as a brave act.

Sreenivas left the BBMP building on Monday after he was assured of immediate action. A BBMP official said they have informed the BWSSB about the problem being faced by residents of Immadihalli “Pipes are being laid in the locality. Soon, every home will have water,” he added.

Praise on Twitter

Appreciating the act, Whitefield Rising tweeted, “This is what a citizen has finally had to do, to get attention from BBMP & BWSSB for water connection. Sreenivas slept last night, fully set up with the mosquito net. Been promised action in 3 days. Else, he will be back. Application is for water connection in his layout (sic).”

