Valvemen’s protest leaves Belagavi residents high & dry

BELAGAVI: Water supply in the city was disrupted for eight days following a protest by valvemen demanding payment of pending salaries.
The residents were made to depend on water tankers. The tanker service providers, who usually get one or two calls daily, are flooded with requests of late. Krishna, a water supplier, said for the last four days he was busy supplying water to residents in areas coming under the southern part of the city.Though the valvemen have withdrawn their protest, they may resume it again as full payments have not been made.
Maruthi, a resident of Bhavani Nagar, said some people in the area did not take bath for some days to save water. The area last received water on September 10. “How can people go without water for more than a week? On Tuesday, the corporation released water, but it was less. The salary issue is the problem of the corporation, and it has to be settled. The civic body should ensure normal life is not affected,” he said.
Speaking to TOI, MLA Abhay Patil said he has spoken to valvemen, and the corporation has made payment now. “Water supply has now resumed but areas should wait till their designated days for water. This has caused inconvenience to people a lot. But now, the issue has been resolved. I will ensure the problem does not recur,” he said.
Raju Patil, a resident of Channamma Nagar, said his area has to wait one more day to get water as the designated day is Wednesday. “Some areas have received water, but not ours. There are many people who cannot afford tanker water which is costly. The corporation should consider the woes of people before things go out of control,” Patil suggested.