Two Kannada actors drowned near Bengaluru after jumping into a reservoir from a helicopter in a stunt that went wrong, and in details now emerging, it appears the filmmakers had flouted rules, were negligent and took little care of the safety of the actors.
Officials say that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) does not give permission to enter the water in any capacity where it is to be used for drinking purposes.
However, the makers of “Maasti Gudi” may have illegally carried out the aerial shooting, as Thippagondanahalli is a reservoir used to supply drinking water.
A senior official of the BWSSB who requested anonymity, told The News Minute that nobody is permitted to go into the water as it is a prohibited area.
In a document dated November 4, BWSSB gave permission to shoot on the premises of Thippagondanahalli reservoir in Ramnagara district, except for the prohibited areas.
“They can only go to the forest areas around the reservoir. No one can go into the water, or the dam area. That was prohibited several years ago,” the official said.
The document gives permission, but stipulates 12 conditions, the first of which, is that they could shoot anywhere, except the prohibited areas, and states expressly that aerial shooting was not permitted.
The official declined to comment on the water level as it was a “technical issue” and the data was being collected by engineers at the site. He added that the water is now stagnant.
The 74-feet reservoir on the Arkavathy river was constructed in 1933 by M Visveswaraya, and used to be a source of drinking water to Bengaluru.
However, government officials either say that the reservoir does not fall into their jurisdiction, or do not know under what law the area is declared a prohibited area.
Water Resources Minister MB Patil directed this reporter to the head of the Kaveri Neeravari Nigama Chikkakaveriappa, who said that it fell under the jurisdiction of the BWSSB.
Public Relations Officer of the BWSSB TC Sarala Kumari did not know which law stipulated that the reservoir was a prohibited area. “There are weeds, silt in the water, and because it is dangerous, it is a prohibited area. I cannot tell you under which law it is a prohibited area. It is a prohibited area.”