Bengaluru Gets 55 New Water Centers to Fight Shortage As Groundwater Levels Drop

As summer intensifies, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is taking proactive steps to address water scarcity by establishing 55 'Cauvery Connect Centers' throughout the city, including in 110 villages. This initiative aims to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for all residents.

BWSSB will set up large temporary tanks, known as Cauvery Connect Centers, to supply Cauvery water to areas still lacking direct access to the river's water.

Combating Water Scarcity

Currently, Cauvery water reaches 102 out of 110 villages, but only 17,000 households are connected to the water supply network. Water supply networks are yet to be established in eight of the 110 villages-four near Kadugodi in the east and four around Chokkanahalli in the north. A significant number of residents continue to depend on groundwater, which is being rapidly depleted.

Research from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) indicates that groundwater levels may fall by as much as 25 meters in 80 city wards. To combat this pressing issue, the BWSSB will establish 'Cauvery Connect Centers' in 55 strategic locations where residents can purchase water directly.

Booking and Payment System

Water will be made available at a competitive rate of ₹90 per kiloliter. The BWSSB will introduce an efficient booking system, allowing consumers to either arrange their own tankers or schedule a BWSSB tanker by specifying their required quantity, delivery time, and location. The board will provide estimated delivery times and additional charges for tanker rental, which will be the responsibility of the customer.

To promote transparency, only online payments will be accepted-eliminating cash transactions entirely.

Locations of 'Cauvery Connect Centers'

The 'Cauvery Connect Centers' will be established in numerous key areas, including:

Bellandur, Varthur, Kadugodi, Ramamurthy Nagar, HSR Layout, RT Nagar, Yelahanka, Banashankari, RR Nagar, Kengeri, Anjanapura, Sahakarnagar, Vidyaranyapura, and more.

Several Ground Level Reservoirs (GLRs) and service stations across the city will be converted into these centers.

Also, GRP tankers with a capacity of over 50,000 liters will be deployed at 15 additional locations to ensure a consistent water supply.

Water Board Chairman Dr. Ram Prasat Manohar said that the choice of these locations was based on a thorough analysis of water scarcity trends within the city. He assured that more centers could be established as needed in the future. The shift to online payments is aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the distribution of water.

With these new initiatives, Bengaluru residents facing water shortages can look forward to more accessible and reliable solutions to meet their water needs.