Amidst a severe water crisis in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, has announced that the state government is cracking down on the misuse of water tankers. In response to the critical situation, all borewells in Bengaluru are being taken over, and private water tankers will now be under state government control. Shivakumar has warned water tanker owners of potential seizure if they fail to register with authorities by the March 7 deadline.
The ongoing water scarcity has prompted apartments and gated communities in the city to implement strict regulations for water conservation. Measures include the closure of pools, water pressure adjustments, and imposing fines for the misuse of drinking water by residents.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the crisis, stating that a war room has been established to monitor the situation in real time. A solution has been devised, with senior officials and Shivakumar personally overseeing daily assessments. The government is set to seize unregistered water tankers, as only 10% of the total 3,500 in Bengaluru have registered with authorities.
Private water tanker charges, ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2000, are under scrutiny, with the government planning to fix a standard price through discussions with the respective Association. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with key officials, has called for a critical meeting to address the shortage of drinking water in Bengaluru. Unused milk tankers are to be deployed for water supply, and non-operational drinking water centers are to be immediately activated.
In crisis-hit areas like Kanakpura, Bengaluru, residents have received alarming notices from apartment associations about authorities seizing water tankers to ensure delivery to areas facing severe scarcity. As the summer is expected to intensify the situation, over 7,000 villages across Karnataka, including 1,193 wards in Bengaluru Urban district, are identified as vulnerable to a drinking water crisis. Various measures, such as checking for water leaks and avoiding unnecessary water usage, are being urged by societies to mitigate the impact of the looming water shortage.
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