BBMP helpline, milk tankers for supply: Here’s how Bengaluru is tackling its current water crisis

Areas under Mahadevapura zone, including Kadugodi, Byrathi, Hoodi, Whitefield, Varthur, Marathahalli, Bellandur and AECS Layout, are some of the worst-affected regions in terms of water supply. Other places facing supply disruptions are Doddabidarakallu, Lingadheeranahalli under the RR Nagara zone, Konanakunte, Vasanthapura under the Bommanahalli zone, Thanisandra, Amruthhalli under the Yelahanka zone, and Chikkasandra, Mallasandra under the Dasarahalli zone.

Govt to seize unregistered water tankers: DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has warned water tanker owners that the government will seize their vehicles if they do not register with the authorities by March 7. Addressing a press conference in the BBMP head office on Monday on the looming water crisis in Bengaluru, he said, “Of the total 3,500 water tankers in Bengaluru city, only 10 per cent, that is 219 tankers, have registered with the authorities. The government will seize them if they don’t register before the deadline. Water is not the property of any individual but is a resource that belongs to the government. The government has the right to take control of water sources.”

The Bengaluru Development Minister added that BWSSB officials have been instructed to be prepared to supply water from areas where groundwater is abundant. “The BWSSB is already using 210 tankers to supply water. The election code of conduct will not come in the way of supplying water,” he said.

Private water tankers currently charge anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 per tanker. “We have called a meeting of private water tanker owners on March 7 and we will fix a price there,” Shivakumar said.

Asked if there was a delay in water supply under the Cauvery 5th stage project, he said, “There is an issue with a stretch of 2 km due to forest land and a huge stone. It is being resolved and drinking water will be supplied by May end.”

Rs 556 crore allocated to address water crisis

Shivakumar also announced that a total of Rs 556 crore has been earmarked to address the water crisis in Bengaluru. Each MLA in Bengaluru city has been given Rs 10 crore to address water shortage in their respective constituency. Besides, the BBMP has also earmarked Rs 148 crore and the BWSSB Rs 128 crore to address the issue.

“Of the 16,781 borewells in our records, 6,997 have dried up. The remaining 7,784 borewells are operational. The government will drill new borewells. There is a slight difference in pricing between local vendors and Tamil Nadu vendors and it will be sorted out soon,” Shivakumar noted.

Milk tankers to ferry water

Officials have also been instructed to utilise unused milk tankers for water supply. The Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) tankers will be cleaned before being deployed for water supply in Bengaluru. These tankers will be used for water supply until the shortage is resolved.

Officials have also been instructed to immediately operationalise all the drinking water centres that are lying idle. Meanwhile, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) officials have been told to register all borewells in use for agriculture and commercial use.

Shivakumar also urged the general public to use water judiciously. “Don’t use drinking water for gardens and car wash. Treated water may be used for other purposes,” he added.