In a strategic move to address the persistent water scarcity gripping Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has unveiled plans to resurrect the iconic Soladevanahalli pumping station.
This historical facility, nestled in the annals of Bengaluru’s water infrastructure, is poised to play a pivotal role in mitigating the city’s acute water shortage. Dating back to 1896, the Soladevanahalli pumping station once served as a vital conduit for channelling water from the Hesaraghatta lake, situated approximately 25 kilometres from the city centre. However, in the wake of diminishing inflow and rampant urbanisation, the revered lake gradually succumbed to desiccation since 1998, rendering it a mere vestige of its former self.
Undeterred by these challenges, the BWSSB has charted a comprehensive blueprint to leverage the residual water reservoir of Hesaraghatta lake, currently housing 0.3 tmcft of water. This ambitious endeavour entails the pumping of water from the lake, subsequent treatment at the Soladevanahalli facility, and eventual distribution to needy precincts across Bengaluru via tanker deployment. Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairman of BWSSB, articulated the significance of this rejuvenation effort during his recent inspection of the pumping station. He underscored the imperative of harnessing historical water assets to fortify Bengaluru’s resilience against water scarcity, thereby reaffirming BWSSB’s unwavering commitment to ensuring water security for the burgeoning metropolis. This strategic intervention not only epitomises proactive water management but also underscores the symbiotic relationship between historical water infrastructure and contemporary urban resilience. As Bengaluru grapples with burgeoning water demand amidst burgeoning urbanisation, the revival of the Soladevanahalli pumping station stands as a beacon of hope, heralding a new era of sustainable water governance in the Silicon Valley of India.
“Bengaluru was the first city to have a systematic water supply in the country almost 128 years ago. In the year 1873, through a series of reservoirs known as the Miller’s Tanks, water was supplied to Bengaluru. After the great famine that hit the city between 1875-1877, water bodies dried up, which forced the then Diwan of Mysuru, Seshadri Iyer, to channel water from river Arkavathi through Hesaraghatta. As a result, the Soladevanahalli pumping station was set up in the year 1896.” Stating that the water board is taking up measures to supply water to the city in case if there is no rain in the month of May, Manohar said, “Water was pumped from Soladevanahalli pumping station to prevent any famine in Bengaluru. We have directed officials to revive the pumping station by April 20 and supply 0.3 tmcft of water, which is available in the Hesaraghatta lake.”
