From March 15, BWSSB nod mandatory to drill borewells in Bengaluru; violators to face legal action

Bengaluru requires nearly 1,450 MLD of water from Cauvery and an additional 700 MLD from groundwater resources. However, with limited supply from both sources, the city has been facing a crisis.

Dried Halagevadera Halli lake in RR Nagar amid Bengaluru water crisis (Express photo by Jithendra M)

With supply issues and groundwater depletion pushing the city into a crisis, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has made it mandatory to take prior approval before drilling borewells in its limits.

In an order, the BWSSB said the new rule will be enforced from March 15 after which residents and business establishments will have to file an application on its website to obtain permission to dig a borewell. BWSSB chairman V Ram Prasat Manohar has warned of legal action for failing to comply.

Technically, the rule has existed since 2011 but was never enforced. According to the Karnataka Groundwater (Development and Management Regulations and Control) Act, 2011, it is mandatory for the owner to obtain permission from the authority for drilling borewells. Permission can be obtained online but approval will be given only after a site inspection, an official said.

Bengaluru requires nearly 1,450 MLD (million litres per day) of water from Cauvery and an additional 700 MLD from groundwater resources. However, with limited supply from both sources, various industries, institutions and residents have been facing a crisis.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar – who said the borewell at his house too had dried up – said last week that over 3,000 borewells in Bengaluru have turned dry.

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