Bengaluru Water Tariff Hike Becomes Unavoidable Amid ₹1,000 Crore Loss
In response to the severe financial strain faced by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar announced that a water tariff increase for Bengaluru has become inevitable. Speaking at a meeting with civic officials on Tuesday, Shivakumar revealed that the water board is currently grappling with an annual loss of ₹1,000 crore, largely due to stagnant water tariffs since 2014. This persistent shortfall has prompted the state government to take action by proposing a hike in water charges.
The Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that the government has directed officials to prepare a detailed report on the proposed hike, although he stopped short of disclosing the exact increase. A decision on the matter is expected to be made soon, following discussions and a comprehensive evaluation of the city’s water consumption patterns. Shivakumar also highlighted that the cost of electricity for the BWSSB had surged from ₹35 crore to ₹75 crore, exacerbating the financial challenges faced by the board.
The increase in tariffs, although unavoidable, is a delicate issue, especially for the city’s low-income residents. Shivakumar suggested that even the economically weaker sections of society should contribute a token amount to help the BWSSB cover its operational costs. He proposed a nominal fee of one paise per litre, which would be used to accurately measure water consumption across the city. “We need to ensure that every litre of water used is measured, and this scheme would help us achieve that,” he stated. Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the importance of regularising illegal water connections, which have contributed to the inefficiencies in the system.
Revisiting the Past: A Struggle to Meet the Demands of a Growing City
The issue of water tariff hikes is not new to Bengaluru, but it has been exacerbated by the rapid urbanisation and expanding population. As the city has grown, so too has the demand for water, putting significant pressure on the BWSSB’s resources. The previous Congress government had launched a scheme to provide free water to slums, with ₹20 crore allocated for the initiative. However, the scheme was discontinued under the current BJP government, and Shivakumar now aims to revive it, ensuring that water supply reaches all areas, including the urban poor.
The Deputy Chief Minister also underscored the need for better planning ahead of the summer season, when water scarcity becomes an acute issue for Bengaluru’s residents. He announced that steps are being taken to fill up water tanks and recharge groundwater reserves in the city. These measures aim to prevent a water shortage, a recurring issue in Bengaluru’s hot summers. Furthermore, the BWSSB has issued 15,000 new water connections under the Cauvery fifth stage, with an additional 20,000 connections still pending. Shivakumar stressed that it is now mandatory for apartment complexes to take a Cauvery water connection, ensuring that the city’s water supply is better managed and distributed.
A Civic Issue with Long-Term Implications for Sustainability
The proposal to raise water tariffs in Bengaluru is not just a financial decision, but one that underscores the city’s growing challenges in managing its water resources sustainably. Water scarcity is a pressing issue, with increasing demand and over-exploitation of existing resources, particularly in urban areas like Bengaluru. The need for an effective pricing system that accounts for the environmental impact of water usage is clear. The tariff hike aims to reduce wasteful consumption and encourage more responsible use of this precious resource.
From a sustainability perspective, the water tariff hike represents a step toward ensuring that Bengaluru’s water infrastructure is financially viable in the long term. Without proper funding, the BWSSB will struggle to maintain and expand the city’s water supply network, which is crucial for meeting the needs of its ever-growing population. Moreover, by implementing measures like accurate water usage measurement and regularising illegal connections, the government is addressing systemic inefficiencies that have compounded the water crisis in the city.
