Bengaluru to Publish Builder Payment Details for Cauvery Water
In a significant move to promote transparency and accountability in Bengaluru’s real estate sector, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced its plan to publish detailed records of builders’ payments for Cauvery water connections. This initiative comes in response to increasing complaints from apartment residents who claim they paid their builders for these water connections, only to discover that the payments had not been forwarded to BWSSB, leaving them without the essential service. The decision marks a crucial step towards safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring that homebuyers are not taken advantage of in the rapidly growing real estate market.
The issue of unpaid water connection fees was uncovered during a door-to-door survey conducted by BWSSB engineers across various areas of the city. Many residents, especially in newly constructed apartment complexes, had assumed that their water connection issues had been settled when they paid the builder at the time of registration. However, investigations revealed a widespread issue where several builders had failed to remit the payments to BWSSB, leaving apartment owners without access to the promised water connections.
BWSSB Chairperson Ram Prasath Manohar confirmed that this issue was particularly prevalent in the 110 villages recently incorporated into the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction. While some builders have fulfilled their financial obligations, many have neglected to make the necessary payments. In response, BWSSB has made the decision to publish these payment records on its official website, which will include a list of compliant builders and those who have defaulted on payments. This move will allow citizens to verify whether the payments made by their builders have been correctly processed by the utility service.
Since 2008, it has been a mandatory requirement for builders to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from BWSSB before receiving the Commencement Certificate and Occupancy Certificate for their projects.
During the NOC process, BWSSB records whether the builder has paid the required water connection charges. These records, which were previously kept private, will now be made publicly accessible. If apartment owners or Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) discover discrepancies or failings in payment, they will have the option to report the issue to BWSSB. The board will then attempt to mediate with the builder for payment settlement. In cases where builders refuse to cooperate, homeowners will have the right to take legal action to resolve the issue.In addition to addressing payment failures, BWSSB has also set up a three-member panel to investigate complaints related to registered plumbers who may be overcharging homeowners for the installation of Cauvery water connections.
Bengaluru currently has around 2,000 registered plumbers, and some residents have reported being charged excessive amounts for these services. The panel will assess these complaints and work towards providing resolutions. Homeowners dissatisfied with the panel’s decision can escalate their cases directly to the BWSSB Chairperson for further review.This initiative by BWSSB represents a critical shift towards greater transparency and accountability in Bengaluru’s water supply and sewerage system. With growing urbanisation and the increasing demand for reliable infrastructure, the publishing of builder payment records and the establishment of a grievance redressal mechanism for plumbing services are essential steps to safeguard consumer interests. As this initiative takes shape, it is expected to build public trust in Bengaluru’s real estate and water supply systems, ensuring timely access to vital resources for all residents.
