As Bengaluru grapples with a severe water crisis, the Karnataka government has taken decisive steps to regulate the prices of water tankers in the city. Following numerous complaints of exorbitant prices, the district administration has introduced price caps based on the quantity of water and the distance of delivery.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), responsible for water supply in the IT capital, has mobilized efforts by hiring 200 water tankers to ensure water availability to residents.
The newly regulated prices of water tankers are as follows:
- For a delivery area within a 5 km range, a 6000-liter tanker will cost up to ₹600.
- For a delivery area between 5 km to 10 km, the same tanker will cost up to ₹750.
- Prices vary similarly for 8000-liter and 10,000-liter tankers based on distance.
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, chaired a special meeting with officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and BWSSB, stressing the importance of devising a comprehensive plan to tackle the water scarcity issue. With the summer approaching, Shivakumar emphasized the need for proactive measures to address any potential worsening of the crisis.
Previously, private water tankers charged exorbitant prices ranging from ₹500 to ₹2,000 for a 1000-liter tanker. In response, the Karnataka government intervened by assuming control of water supply operations and mandated that all private water suppliers register with the BBMP for further operations.
The severity of the water scarcity in Bengaluru is compounded by the drought conditions prevalent in the state, with over 3,000 borewells in the city reported to have dried up out of a total of 7,000. The government’s move to regulate water tanker prices is aimed at alleviating the burden on residents and ensuring equitable access to this essential resource during these challenging times.
Sources By Agencies