Bengaluru mandates Cauvery water for apartments to curb tanker mafia

In a move to regulate groundwater usage and curb commercial exploitation by the tanker mafia, the Karnataka government has made Cauvery water connections mandatory for all apartment complexes within the BBMP limits.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar, during a review meeting, directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to ensure compliance. The board has already provided 15,000 new connections under the Cauvery 5th Stage project, with an additional 20,000 yet to be installed. However, many apartment complexes are reportedly hesitant to avail of these connections.

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Concerns were raised over builders collecting money for water connections and later disappearing, leaving residents to bear the cost. Additionally, confusion persists over prorated charges. Addressing these issues, Shivakumar stated that the government has spent crores on public welfare and is cracking down on illegal connections. He urged BWSSB engineers to visit apartments and raise awareness about legal connections.

Following his statement, the Bangalore Apartment Federation requested BWSSB to conduct public consultations to discuss pricing concerns.

Meanwhile, the government is auditing Bengaluru’s water supply, citing instances of affluent individuals illegally accessing free potable water meant for slum dwellers. A one-time settlement scheme is being considered to regularize unauthorized connections, alongside a proposed revision of water tariffs.