Ahead of the peak summer season, residents in East Bengaluru are grappling with a severe water crisis as borewells dry up, and the prices of water tankers soar.
A long queue has formed in front of RO water units in East Bengaluru, where people are gathering to collect water for their daily needs. The reasons behind this crisis include the failure of the southwest monsoon, depletion of groundwater, and the drying up of borewells and tube wells.
Kochu Sankar, a resident of Banjara Layout at Horamavu in Bengaluru, emphasised the dire situation they are facing, stating, “We are in a disastrous situation regarding water. This layout comprises about 100 buildings and almost 400 households. We are all entering into a crisis.”
Adding to the frustration another resident AR Shantamma said, “Tankers are not supplying adequately, and the prices are exorbitant. The government must assist us in this situation. We are asking for our basic needs. All representatives should take initiatives and come forward to help us.”
Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) have convened a high-level meeting to formulate an action plan to address the issue.
The BBMP has allocated 131 crores to drill borewells in Mahadevapura, Bommanahalli, Dasarahalli, RR Nagar, and Yelahanka – the areas facing a water crisis. The BBMP commissioner has also instructed the maintenance and repair work of tube wells.
The residents of Horamavu have criticised the allocation of 131 crore for drilling new borewells to tackle the water crisis, calling it “insufficient”.
Kochu Sankar, a resident, pointed out the limitations of the allocated funds, stating that with five zones, each containing 100 wards and an estimated 100 layouts like theirs, the funds wouldn’t effectively address the widespread water shortage.
He emphasised, “Even the budget which has been allocated, none of them have been converted into work order, so all these BBMP officers are giving lip service. Now these 131 crores also, by the time tender happens and work order gets released and work gets done it’ll take three more months. The situation is grave, and we want water today, not three months later.”
ESCLATING WATER TANKER PRICES
Residents of Bengaluru are grappling with a dual challenge – a water crisis and soaring prices for water supplied by private tankers.
Many residents are expressing concern over the exorbitant prices set by water tanker suppliers, making it challenging for them to afford this essential service. While some providers offer prices between 1,000 and 1,500 per tanker, others charge as much as 2,000.
To address this issue, the BBMP and the BWSSB have issued strict warnings to water tanker operators, urging them to refrain from charging excessive prices. They have threatened to take action against violators.
“We have warned water tankers not to charge exorbitant prices for water supply and will take action if they do so. If the water crisis situation worsens, we will take private water tankers under our control for water supply,” said BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath addressing the issue.
As summer approaches, residents of East Bengaluru are demanding urgent action from the BBMP, BWSSB, and the state government, proposing:
- Increased budget allocation: Urging authorities to significantly increase the budget allocated for drilling borewells.
- Expedited drilling: Requesting the immediate commencement of borewell drilling activities.
- Subsidised water rationing: Proposing a system of subsidised water rationing through water tankers.
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