With private water tanker charges skyrocketing, localities that recently gained Cauvery water access have seen a notable drop in tanker dependence. However, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is falling behind on its Cauvery Stage V expansion goals.

The agency had aimed to deliver over 4 lakh new water connections across 110 suburban areas, but so far, only 83,000 households have benefited—barely a quarter of the planned figure. Surprisingly, 55,000 of these were granted years ago, well before the project was formally launched in October 2024. This means just 30,000 fresh connections have been set up over the past half a year, despite multiple enrollment drives.

With borewells running dry and tanker water costs soaring, BWSSB plans to broaden its ‘Cauvery on Wheels’ initiative from April 1. Through this system, residents can request government-regulated tankers via a mobile app, ensuring lower rates than private suppliers.

A major roadblock in expanding piped water connections has been the steep upfront fees. To make access more affordable, BWSSB will roll out an EMI-based payment model, requiring residents to pay only 20% initially, while the remaining 80% is split over 12 monthly installments added to water bills.

This move aims to ease the financial burden and accelerate the city’s shift to a stable water supply.