Bengaluru Residents On High Alert: Apartment Issues Urgent 'No Water' Notice Amid Ongoing Crisis

The city of Bengaluru is currently grappling with a severe water shortage, prompting residents to embark on a frantic search for this essential resource amidst dried-up borewells and a limited number of relief tankers available.

In response to the crisis, some residents have taken to social media platforms to express their concerns, highlighting the imposition of regulations for smart water usage by apartment complexes and gated communities.

Photo Credit: OneIndia Kannada

Bengaluru Residents On High Alert: Here's why

These measures include the implementation of restrictions aimed at conserving water resources. Furthermore, a notice circulated from a well-known apartment complex underscored the gravity of the situation.

The notice revealed that authorities from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) were seizing all water tankers to prioritize delivery to areas facing severe water scarcity, where water availability is completely depleted.

As a consequence of this unprecedented action, the water sumps within the complex have been emptied, leaving only a limited supply stored in overhead tanks (OHTs). However, there are concerns that this remaining supply may not last long, with an estimated timeframe of approximately one hour. Once the OHTs are depleted, residents are facing the prospect of no further water supply being available.

In the midst of the water crisis in Bengaluru, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a stern warning to water tanker owners across the state. He urged them to complete the registration process with the authorities before the deadline of March 7, emphasizing that failure to do so would result in the government seizing their tankers.

Shivakumar highlighted the low registration rate, revealing that out of the total 3,500 water tankers in Bengaluru city, only 219, which equates to 10%, have completed the registration process. He stressed the government's authority over water resources, asserting that water is a public resource and belongs to the government.

He also instructed officials from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to be prepared to supply water from areas with abundant groundwater sources. Currently, BWSSB is utilizing 210 tankers for water supply, and Shivakumar affirmed that the election code of conduct would not hinder water distribution efforts.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the water crisis by highlighting the Vrishabhavati Lift Irrigation Project in Nelamangala as a long-term solution. He emphasized the substantial investment in the project, including 3000 crore rupees on KC Valley and MN Valley, and an additional ₹2240 crore on the Vrishabhavati project.

This initiative aims to fill 70 lakes with water in the first phase, ultimately increasing groundwater levels across four districts, including Bengaluru City, rural areas, and Tumkur districts. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the project would not only resolve the water woes but also enhance the economic prosperity of the region by providing vital water support for agricultural lands.