Are Water Tankers Charging Above Fixed Rates In Bengaluru? What You Should Do?

Water tankers have continued to charge above the fixed prices in Bengaluru, which has been grappling with the unprecedented water crisis.

On March 7, the state government had fixed rates based on the quantity of water and the distance of the delivery area. Despite the Karnataka government passing an order regulating the price, tankers continued to charge the same price.

"Not much has changed for us. The price has remained the same, but at least we are getting a water supply. After the government tried to meddle in the issue, our supplier had refused to deliver water saying that he was going for a strike," a secretary of an apartment association in South Bengaluru claimed.

The spike in the water tanker charges is affecting the middle class and apartment owners badly. "We used to pay around Rs 2500-3000 monthly maintenance. Now, it has gone up to Rs 7,000. Very difficult to deal with the situation. Even the government's intervention has not helped us to much extent," a flat owner claims.

In the recent order, for deliveries within a five-kilometer range, the prices are set at Rs 600 for 6,000 liters of water. Beyond this range, the rate increases to Rs 750 for the same quantity of water.

Similarly, for 8,000 liters of water, the prices are Rs 700 within a five-kilometer range and Rs 850 beyond. For larger quantities, such as 12,000 liters of water, the rates are Rs 1,000 within a five-kilometer range and Rs 1,200 beyond.

As the water tankers continue to cash in on the demand, the government has started sending messages to individuals asking them to file complaints if the tankers are being charged above the fixed price.

People can lodge a complaint by calling 1533 or BBMP helpline 1533.

On Bengaluru water crisis, Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge says, "There is a contingency plan. Deputy CM has made it. For whatever water crisis is there in the outskirts - stopping tanker mafia, the minimum price per tanker and GIS-based trips are being managed. We are on top of things."

Meanwhile, BBMP has mandated that water tankers must register with BBMP/BWSSB to operate, denying unregistered tankers the right to supply water. This measure, aimed at regulating water tanker activities, follows BBMP's recent appeal for voluntary registration. Despite an estimated 2,000 water tankers in Bengaluru, only 1,732 have complied, missing the registration deadline last week, according to a report in Bangalore Mirror.