BWSSB’s plan to supply Cauvery water faces public backlash

Bengaluru’s water crisis is set to intensify this summer, with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) launching a controversial initiative to provide Cauvery river water to residents of 110 peripheral villages. The board plans to establish 10 Cauvery Connect Centres, where 6,000 liters of water will be available for ₹90. However, residents must arrange their own tankers for transportation, a requirement that has sparked widespread criticism.

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While BWSSB claims the initiative aims to free residents from the tanker cartel, many argue it does little to break their dependence. Hiring private tankers, which can cost between ₹400 and ₹700 for 5,000 liters, remains a major financial burden. Critics question the logic behind expecting individual households or apartment complexes to secure tankers, with some fearing this will only strengthen the existing tanker mafia.

Tanker operators will exploit the situation, charging more and prioritizing those who pay higher rates

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar defended the move, stating that the ultimate goal is to expand direct Cauvery water connections. Officials clarified that BWSSB’s 42 tankers are reserved for emergencies, and arranging private transport is the residents' responsibility. However, for many, this initiative feels like a mere reshuffling of the existing water crisis rather than a solution.