As the Silicon City of India grapples with a severe water crisis due to insufficient rainfall and dropping water levels in the Cauvery River, a housing society in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area has taken strict measures. “The Palm Meadows” housing society in Whitefield has imposed a ₹5,000 fine on residents for the misuse of drinking water amid the escalating water scarcity.

The society issued a notice, highlighting the lack of water supply from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the past four days. To address the situation, the society is currently relying on borewells, risking the depletion of groundwater in the near future. Whitefield is identified as one of the severely affected areas in Bengaluru, alongside Yelahanka and Kanakpura.

The Apartment Owners Association (AOA) of “The Palm Meadows” has decided to reduce water consumption by 20% for each unit. Failure to meet the target will result in an additional charge of ₹5,000, with the potential for a 40% reduction in supply during peak summer months. The AOA warned of higher penalties for repeated violations and deployed a security person to intensify patrolling.

Several other housing societies in Bengaluru are also advising residents to be cautious with daily water usage. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar held a crucial meeting to address the drinking water shortage in Bengaluru. DK Shivakumar emphasized the seriousness of the matter and announced measures such as seizing water tankers that are not registered with authorities before the March 7 deadline.

With the anticipation of a more severe summer, over 7,000 villages across Karnataka, including 1,193 wards in Bengaluru Urban district, are identified as vulnerable to a drinking water crisis in the coming months, according to the government’s assessment as of February 10.

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