Bengaluru’s water authority, BWSSB, has reignited discussions on raising water tariffs, citing acute financial challenges. After half a year of deliberation, Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar revealed plans to consult city MLAs and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to tackle the issue.
Tasked with providing water and sewage services to 1.5 crore residents, BWSSB faces a staggering monthly shortfall of ₹41 crore. Operational expenses have skyrocketed, with electricity costs surging by 107.3%, maintenance by 122.5%, and employee wages and pensions by 61.3% between 2014 and March 2024. Despite these pressures, water tariffs have remained unchanged for a decade.
The board currently spends ₹170 crore monthly but collects only ₹129 crore in revenue. Manohar emphasized the urgent need for a tariff revision to ensure BWSSB’s financial viability, noting that tariffs are its primary income source.
To gather feedback, the chairman has written to city MLAs, inviting suggestions and support. A meeting with representatives is slated for later this month to deliberate on the proposal. “We’ve already discussed the matter with the deputy CM,” Manohar stated, adding that the final decision will incorporate inputs from these consultations.
The tariff hike aims to address BWSSB’s mounting deficits and sustain essential water services for Bengaluru’s growing population.
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