Starting April 10, residents across Bangalore will face a revision in water tariffs by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), with price hikes ranging from 0.15 to 1 paisa per litre, depending on consumption.
The new rates, aimed at addressing infrastructure demands and rising operational costs, have triggered widespread discontent, especially among the city’s low and middle-income residents. Critics argue that the revised tariffs add to the mounting pressure from the rising costs of basic necessities, compounding the financial strain on ordinary households. The water tariff adjustment comes after an 11-year hiatus. While the BWSSB justifies the hike by pointing to the need for infrastructure upgrades, including the ongoing Cauvery Water Project and the maintenance of the city’s water systems, the decision has faced significant backlash. Domestic users, in particular, have voiced frustration, arguing that the increase is an additional burden on families already grappling with inflationary pressures on food, electricity, and fuel.
The new structure is built around a slab-based policy, with rates for domestic consumption ranging from 0.30 paisa to 1 paisa per litre. For bulk water supply, including surface and groundwater pumped water, the cost has been revised to between 0.90 and 1.9 paisa per litre for up to 10 litres. In addition, commercial users such as restaurants, bars, and shops have been hit hardest, with increases in water charges that could climb up to 125 percent. While officials have stated that the rate revision was overdue, many residents feel that such an increase, particularly on a basic necessity like water, is unjustified. The BWSSB maintains that water rates have remained stagnant for over a decade, and that the revised tariffs align with “market realities” to ensure the continued functioning of essential water services across the city. According to board records, outstanding water bills have reached concerning levels in some areas, with many users failing to pay their dues, which only exacerbates the fiscal gap that the tariff hikes are intended to address.
A BWSSB spokesperson explained that the new rates reflect the actual cost of delivering water to Bangalore’s sprawling urban landscape. However, this rationale has done little to quell public anger, particularly among those in the city’s lower-income brackets. A significant number of residents, already struggling to make ends meet, have expressed frustration over the increased water prices. The revised tariffs have sparked concerns about affordability, particularly in densely populated areas where residents are already feeling the pinch of skyrocketing living expenses. One affected resident noted, “Every month, something else becomes unaffordable. First, it was the cost of food, then gas, and now water. How are we supposed to manage?” Another long-time resident added, “The government needs to understand that not everyone can keep up with these hikes. Water is a basic necessity. This increase is unacceptable.”
Despite such widespread dissent, BWSSB officials have maintained that the tariff hike is necessary to support the city’s growing infrastructure needs. As one BWSSB official stated, “Water rates had not been increased in the past 11 years. The hike aligns with the evolving needs of the city’s infrastructure, including the Cauvery Water Project, and will support ongoing maintenance work.” For many residents, the central issue is not just the rise in water tariffs, but the perception that the government is passing on the burden of urban development and infrastructure upkeep to the public rather than exploring alternative funding mechanisms. As one local policy expert put it, “While infrastructure development is essential, the cost should not be solely shouldered by residents, particularly those from low- and middle-income backgrounds. Alternative funding models should be explored to balance the needs of urban growth with public affordability.”
Adding to the growing frustration is the reality that water is a life-sustaining resource that should not be subjected to fluctuating market forces in the same way as luxury goods or services. While some residents have acknowledged the necessity of infrastructural upgrades, they argue that the burden of financing these upgrades should not disproportionately fall on consumers already struggling with the cost of living. The BWSSB’s justification for the price increase is partly based on the fact that water consumption patterns have shifted in recent years. Domestic water consumption has risen, but the revenue generated has not kept pace with the rising costs of water treatment and distribution. This disparity, according to officials, has necessitated the rate increase to ensure that the board can meet its operational costs while continuing to expand its services.
As the new rates go into effect, residents are left to contend with yet another financial burden in a city where the cost of living continues to climb. While some acknowledge the need for infrastructure improvements, many are questioning whether these hikes are the most equitable solution. The decision has ignited a larger debate on how cities should finance their development goals without placing an undue strain on their residents, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
Bangalore Residents Express Outrage Over New Water Tariff Hike Starting April 10
