Overhead water tanks violating safety parameters in Bhatkal

Bhatkal 3 July 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Five overhead water tanks in the main residential areas of Bhatkal supply water to numerous houses in its respective localities but what is interesting is all those water tanks are violating the standard laws and safety parameter set by the law. Out of five tanks three belongs to the jurisdiction of Jali Patan Panchayath while one each belongs to TMC and Heble Panchayath. The standard safety parameter set by law requires a set-back that has to be left in all dimensions up to the elevated height of the said tank before construction of overhead water tank as the safety precaution in case of any mishap. But the current scenario of the overhead water tanks is that not only private residence but a government school is also built next to the overhead water tanks (at Hurlisal area of Jali Patan Panchayath) where as the one at Nawayath colony has a commercial complex and private residence at the either side of the tank. The other three tanks at Firdous Nagar, Azad Nagar and Jali road is built right beside public roads which is a daily commute route of several locals, students, and school buses, posing a threat and danger of which they are not aware of. Speaking to Bhatkallys.com during a previous conversation Advocate Imran Lanka, (Ward member of Jali Patan Panchayath) had brought this to the notice and had then termed the construction of the tanks as 'illegal' while calling for the demolition of the overhead water tanks in the jurisdiction of Jali Patan Panchayath. "As the public road is located very next to the pillars of the water tank wherein no set back has been left which is meant for public safety as laid down by the law, it should be demolished straightaway in the context of public safety" Imran was quoted as saying. The people cannot be expected to be aware of the illegality of the water tanks as the officials themselves were found unaware of the fact. Heble Patan Panchayath President ND Moger, was surprised when Bhatkallys.com spoke to him and asked if they had received any objection over the years about the illegality of the water tank located at Firdos Nagar. "No, we did not receive any objection against the water tank yet, it is on place from last 25 years and I don't recall anyone objecting to it, Is it really illegal? I was not aware of this" a confused ND Moger said. It is in the best of interest of safety of every resident and students the officials and the concerned departments has to immediately pay attention to the issue and look for an resolution. (Bhatkallys News Bureau/ Ismail Zaorez)