Department quenches thirst of prisoners

BANGALORE: This summer, inmates of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison have a reason to smile. The prison which had severe scarcity of drinking water from a few months, is now under the ‘comfort zone,’ as the departement sinks new borewells. Reportedly, prisoners had to face lots of hardships to find drinking water, in the recent past. Based on the request of Department of Prisons, Public Works Department sunk four new borewells, out of which only two were successful. Though the venture was not completely successful, jail authorities opined that two borewells were sufficient to meet the demands. However, they were unsure if these borewells could supply adequate water, as  water table in the city has reduced drastically. “Presently the situation is under control. We have to wait and watch, how the situation will change in the future,” remarked an official.The official said a separate line was drawn to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to meet the demands for drinking water.  “We have discussed the matter with the officials of BWSSB and have presented our problems before him. We are concerned about the hygienity of the inmates as nearly 50 of them stay in each barrack. If there is no water to take bath, what will happen to them?” he said.He explained though the jail authorities get water from private water suppliers,  the department could not afford the facility on everyday basis.  Additional Director General of Police and in-charge of Department of Prisons, K V Gagandeep said, “Presently the condition is satisfactory. As a precautionary measure, convicts are given containers to store water.”