The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Bengaluru): In Bengaluru, the civic leaders have embarked on an innovative project to combat the escalating water scarcity by infusing the city’s drying lakes with 1,300 million litres of treated water daily, thereby aiming to bolster the city’s dwindling groundwater reserves. Currently, the city is grappling with a significant reduction in groundwater availability, with nearly half of its borewells no longer yielding water.
In response to Bengaluru’s acute water challenges, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has outlined a multifaceted strategy. This strategy includes the restoration of lake beds, the installation of filter borewells, and the establishment of water treatment facilities employing cutting-edge technology to ensure the purified water meets safety standards before distribution. This initiative is projected to enhance the city’s water supply by an additional 20–30 million litres daily.
The initiative is currently focused on rejuvenating several key lakes around Bengaluru, including those in Bellandur, Varthur, Nayandahalli, Herohalli, Attur, and Jakkur. This approach not only aims to address the immediate water scarcity but also to sustain the city’s future water demands.
Bengaluru’s water demand stands at approximately 2,100 million litres per day (MLD), with the majority of this—1,450 MLD—sourced from the Cauvery River. Despite the challenges posed by insufficient rainfall and the overexploitation of groundwater resources, officials remain optimistic, highlighting that current reservoir levels are adequate to meet the city’s needs until July.
In a parallel effort to manage the city’s water distribution, the BWSSB has initiated measures to regulate water tanker services, extending registration deadlines to encourage more suppliers to participate. This measure, coupled with the governmental oversight of private water tankers, seeks to dismantle the so-called “water mafia” and ensure a more equitable water distribution across Bengaluru.
As the city moves forward with these initiatives, the response from the community and political entities will be crucial in shaping the success of Bengaluru’s fight against water scarcity. With the opposition planning protests, the government remains open to constructive feedback, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to secure Bengaluru’s water future.