Bengaluru Water Crisis Persists Despite Rains: Residents Forced to Rely on Costly Tankers

Bengaluru: The residents of India's silicon city are facing an increasingly alarming water crisis. Despite heavy rains in some parts of the city, many areas continue to struggle with water scarcity, making it challenging for residents to access drinking water and water for cooking.

Residents of Bengaluru's Bairaveshwar Nagar and Andanappa Layout, situated behind Bagalgunte Lake in Peenya Dasarahalli, are facing a severe water shortage, impacting over 50% of the community even during the rainy season.  Areas like Whitefield, Bengaluru East and Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru South are also affected by the water scarcity.

The issue is intensified by the lack of borewell facilities in these areas and a pipeline problem near the 8th mile that has disrupted the Cauvery water supply.

As a result, residents are forced to depend on costly tanker water to meet their daily needs, adding a significant financial burden, especially for those with other commitments such as house rent. An employee at a private organization, has urged the relevant authorities to address this urgent water crisis.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged neglect of their water scarcity issues, emphasizing the need for timely and affordable water resources for daily activities. 

The community further anticipated that if the problem continues beyond the rainy season, there may be protests against the responsible authorities. Additionally, students in the area are also facing difficulties attending school and college due to the ongoing water crisis.

BBMP to construct 250 rainwater harvesting system

In response to the severe water scarcity affecting Bengaluru this summer, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a significant project to boost groundwater levels across the city. The city's civic administrative agency has approved the construction of 250 percolation pits and the recharge of numerous borewells in city parks. This ambitious project, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, aims to alleviate water shortages and enhance groundwater reserves.