Bengaluru’s Mahadevapura is currently facing a severe water crisis, as residents of several apartments contend with dwindling supplies amid escalating tensions between water tanker operators and local villagers. The ongoing dispute stems from complaints that excessive groundwater extraction to meet the city’s demands is depleting local resources, prompting villagers to take a stand against tanker owners.
For over five days, more than 50 water tanker operators from Hoskote have staged protests, claiming that their operations are being severely hampered by disruptions to power supply and pressure from residents of Muthasandra gram panchayat in Hoskote taluk. These protests have drawn attention to the critical issue of groundwater depletion in the area. In light of these developments, tanker owners have reached out to Mahadevapura Task Force chairman and former minister Aravind Limbavali for intervention. A committee was established to investigate the matter further. Residents of Muthasandra, who have been vocal about their concerns, recently held a protest demanding an immediate halt to commercial groundwater extraction, having previously met with the Bengaluru Rural district deputy commissioner to voice their grievances.
RVN Babu, representing the water tanker operators’ association, articulated the plight of operators, stating, “We have been in this business for 12 years without any issues. Now, power cuts and police confiscating our tankers are threatening our livelihoods. We seek immediate restoration of our power supply and an end to these harassments.” The task force chairman, ged the villagers’ frustration, attributing it to the falling groundwater levels in their region. Meanwhile, residents of Mahadevapura apartments, who primarily rely on tanker water due to insufficient supply from BWSSB and borewells, have been urged to enhance their water conservation efforts.
The president of Rohan Vasantha Apartments, which houses 579 flats, expressed dismay at the situation: “We largely depend on water tankers for daily needs, and this disruption has forced us to pay double for water.” the secretary of the Bengaluru Apartments Federation for the Whitefield-Kadugodi cluster, noted the gravity of the situation: “In Whitefield, there’s virtually no groundwater left, and we rely heavily on tankers. This strike is impacting even basic needs like washing dishes.” With reports indicating that some tankers are exploiting the situation by charging exorbitant prices, the residents’ predicament is exacerbating. “Currently, only about 60% of our water needs are being met. It feels like we’re reliving the summer water crisis,” officials lamented. As the standoff continues, the need for sustainable water management practices becomes increasingly pressing, not only to address the immediate crisis but also to ensure long-term water security for both the villagers and the urban population of Bengaluru.
