With a burgeoning population and rapid urbanisation, Bangalore finds itself grappling with water scarcity. The city’s population explosion has placed an unprecedented strain on its water resources. Residents in numerous places are already dealing with erratic water supply and low-pressure water flow.
Places In Bangalore To Face Water Shutdown
Once known for its serene lakes and lush greenery, Bangalore has metamorphosed into a concrete jungle. The crux of Bangalore’s water scarcity crisis lies in its exponential population growth and unchecked urbanisation. Residents in Hebbal, Banaswadi, and JC Nagar have complained about a substantial decrease in water frequency – what was formerly a two-day water supply has now been reduced to once every five days. Most of the city’s water supply is expected to be interrupted between 6 a.m. on February 27 and 6 a.m. on February 28 due to emergency maintenance work and the installation of Unaccounted For Water (UFW) bulk flow meters by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
Water supply will be disrupted in 4th Block Nandini Layout, BHEL Layout, Nandini Layout, Srinivasa Nagar, Jaimaruthi Nagar and Badavane, Sakamma Layout, Narasimha Swamy Layout, Muneshwara Nagar, Jnana Jyothi Nagar, Jnanaganganagar, Mallathahalli, NGEF Layout and many others. As many as 14 BBMP wards will be affected.
People have also complained about low water pressure, which caused the water to flow slowly. According to an article published by the Deccan Herald, residents believe the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is not short of water, despite the board’s assertions to the contrary.
Rising Woes
This year, Bengaluru is experiencing a severe water shortage months ahead of summer, which is causing many citizens to limit their water use and spend nearly twice as much as usual to satisfy their daily demands. This southern Indian city, home to thousands of start-ups and IT companies, has over 14 million residents, but weak southwest monsoon rains have damaged groundwater levels and lowered water levels in the reservoirs that supply the city.
According to an article by Reuters, residents in some sections of Bengaluru are now paying up to 2,000 rupees ($24.11) for a 12,000-liter water tanker from 1,200 rupees ($14.47) a month ago. Water conservation is being requested by large residential complexes, and building managers have responded by raising water rates in order to cover increased expenses. According to research conducted at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the city has lost 79% of its water bodies and 88% of its green space during the past 40 years, while the area covered in concrete has grown by an exponential amount.
Bangalore stands at a crossroads, grappling with a serious water scarcity crisis.
Cover image credits: Canva