The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Bengaluru): Bengaluru, often referred to as “India’s Silicon Valley”, is grappling with a critical water shortage this year, months ahead of the peak summer season. This crisis is compelling residents to ration their water usage and pay nearly double the usual price for their daily water needs. The city’s weak southwest monsoon rains have led to diminished groundwater levels and lowered water levels in the Cauvery River basin reservoirs. These reservoirs are crucial for supplying water to Bengaluru, which houses approximately 14 million people, alongside numerous IT companies and start-ups.
As a result, residents are facing skyrocketing prices for water tankers even before the onset of peak summer. In some areas of Bengaluru, water tanker dealers are charging up to 2,000 rupees ($24.11) for a 12,000-litre tanker, a significant increase from 1,200 rupees ($14.47) just a month earlier. This price hike is based on interviews with a dozen customers.
Santhosh C.A., a resident of Horamavu in north Bengaluru, mentioned the need to book water tankers two days in advance. He also shared the impact of the water crisis on his daily life, including dying plants and reduced frequency of showers. Another resident expressed concern over the possibility of tanker vendors failing to deliver water despite being paid, due to the scarcity of groundwater.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), responsible for the city’s water supply, primarily relies on the Cauvery River for water. The river originates at Talakaveri in Karnataka, Bengaluru’s home state, and flows through Tamil Nadu before reaching the Bay of Bengal. Faced with the crisis, the BWSSB has requested additional water from the Cauvery basin, as per a letter seen by Reuters.
While Bengaluru typically depends on groundwater and tanker-supplied water to supplement BWSSB supplies during peak summer, this year’s early reports of water shortages have prompted large residential complexes to ask residents to reduce water usage. Some building managers have even increased water prices to offset the higher costs.
Sirish N, a resident of southeastern Bangalore, highlighted the lack of regulation in water pricing, leading to vendors setting high prices this year. The rapid development of Bengaluru, once known for its moderate climate and lush greenery, has had severe environmental repercussions. Studies at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) reveal a 79% loss of water bodies and an 88% decrease in green cover over the last four decades, while concrete-covered areas have grown elevenfold. T.V. Ramachandra, head of IISc’s Energy and Wetlands Research Group, pointed out that the increase in concrete areas and reduction in green spaces hinder the replenishment of groundwater.
Bengaluru’s rapid growth has drawn criticism for poor infrastructure and overcrowding, with Sandeep Anirudhan, founder of the Coalition for Water Security, describing the city as “a template for urban ruin.”
