Bengaluru, Karnataka: In a move to tackle the growing water demand of the semiconductor and manufacturing sectors, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has invited tenders for a major water supply project for industrial zones around Bengaluru. The project will draw water from the Cauvery and Yettinahole sources, covering 18 established and proposed industrial areas with an estimated requirement of 196 million litres per day (MLD).

KIADB has floated the tenders in six engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) packages, where the contractor will handle the entire project lifecycle – from engineering and procurement to construction – on a turnkey basis. The project is expected to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of around Rs 2,000 crore.

Project scope and significance

KIADB Chief Executive Officer M Mahesh told Moneycontrol, “Most of our industrial layouts are located in Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, and Chikkaballapur, where the absence of surface water is a major issue. Semiconductor manufacturing, in particular, requires fresh water. While some demand can be met with treated water, industries also need fresh water, which is currently a bottleneck. About 2.5 TMC of water will be drawn from the Cauvery, with allocations provided by the Water Resources Department.”

The project aims to meet both industrial and drinking water needs across industrial areas spanning 55,000 acres, of which 20,000 acres lie within the Cauvery basin and 35,000 acres outside it. Until now, units in Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, and Chikkaballapur have relied on treated water or borewells.

EPC packages and infrastructure details

  • Package 1: Design, supply, and commissioning of infrastructure to carry Cauvery water to impounding reservoirs at Agara and Maddur tanks, supported by pumping stations near Channapatna. Works include new jackwells, pump houses, pipelines up to 2,235 mm in diameter, and reservoir storage enhancement of over 2 TMC.
  • Package 2: Construction of intermediate pumping stations near Channapatna and Magadi, installation of vertical turbine pumps, and a 64 km pipeline network. A master balancing reservoir will be built at Dobaspet to regulate supply.
  • Package 3: Gravity main from the master balancing reservoir to Vemgal Industrial Area, along with restoration works at Bettakote Ammanikere, Hunasur, Talagavara Amanikere, Perjenahalli Doddakere, Singehalli Doddakere, and Amani Badranakere to boost storage.
  • Package 4: Pipeline extension to Malur and nearby industrial areas and upgrades to Narasapura, Shivarapatna, and Kasaba Maluru tanks.
  • Package 5: Gravity main from Doddaballapura junction to Gowribanadur with tank upgrades at Kadalamalakunte Malleswara and Doddakurugodu.
  • Package 6: Jackwell-cum-pump house and rising main from the Yettinahole gravity canal to the KWIN City area, including pumping machinery and restoration of roads along the pipeline route.

Long-term impact

While Cauvery remains Bengaluru’s primary water source, the Yettinahole project is expected to benefit around 75 lakh people across nine districts. By ensuring a steady supply of fresh water for both industries and communities, the initiative aims to support Karnataka’s growing industrial ecosystem and address the chronic groundwater depletion in the region.