Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 14: Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar informed the Legislative Council on Friday that water tariffs in Bengaluru have remained unchanged since 2014.

While the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed a seven to eight paise hike per litre, the state government is currently considering only a one-paise increase, he said. A final decision will be taken after discussions with city MLAs during the upcoming BBMP budget talks.

The statement came during the legislative council's zero hour when Congress MLC Ramoji Gowda raised concerns over water scarcity in eastern Bengaluru. He pointed out that private water tankers were charging double the usual rates, making access to drinking water difficult for residents.

Shivakumar acknowledged the issue, highlighting that BWSSB suffers an annual loss of Rs 1,000 cr due to unchanged tariffs and rising electricity costs. He also criticised large apartment developers for not paying BWSSB’s water connection deposit fees and taking illegal connections. Notices have been issued to such violators, he said.

To address the crisis, the government is implementing several measures, including refilling dried-up lakes to boost groundwater levels and imposing strict regulations on private water tankers to prevent overpricing. A fixed minimum rate has been set for these tankers, he added.

Shivakumar also announced that the Cauvery phase 5 project is now operational, supplying water to 110 villages around Bengaluru. Additionally, the state government is working on the Cauvery phase 6 project to further enhance the city's water supply, pending cabinet approval and public consultation.

Emphasising water conservation, he urged citizens to avoid wasting drinking water on activities like washing cattle or watering plants. He also noted that improper implementation of rainwater harvesting systems, including concrete being laid over collection areas, is worsening the crisis. New regulations will be introduced to address such violations, he said.

With summer temperatures rising and a water shortage looming, the government has planned a month-long awareness campaign on water conservation, starting on March 22, observed as Water Conservation Day.