BWSSB Water Adalat to Address Bengaluru Civic Concerns on February 6
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to hold a Water Adalat on February 6, providing a crucial forum for Bengaluru’s residents to voice their concerns over water-related grievances. The initiative aims to address issues such as inflated water bills, supply shortages, sewerage connections, and the conversion of domestic connections to non-domestic usage. The civic body’s move comes as Bengaluru’s rapid urbanisation continues to strain its water infrastructure, leaving thousands grappling with irregular supply and bureaucratic delays. The Water Adalat, scheduled between 9:30 AM and 11 AM, will take place across multiple locations in the city, ensuring accessibility for residents from different zones.
While such Adalats serve as a short-term relief measure, they also highlight Bengaluru’s deeper water crisis. Many residents struggle with erratic billing and supply disruptions, often waiting weeks for redressal through regular complaint channels. “Despite raising multiple complaints, our water bills remain unpredictable. One month it is ₹500, and the next, it jumps to ₹5,000 without explanation,” lamented Anil Kumar, a resident of Malleswaram. Similar grievances have been echoed in areas like Rajarajeshwari Nagar, where residents report delays in new connections despite completing all formalities. The BWSSB’s helpline (1916) and WhatsApp service (8762228888) remain available for complaints, but many citizens feel these measures lack the immediacy needed for urgent issues.
From an urban governance perspective, Bengaluru’s expanding population has intensified the pressure on BWSSB’s infrastructure, leading to frequent breakdowns in services. Compared to other metro cities, the city’s per capita water availability remains alarmingly low, with an estimated demand of 2,100 million litres per day (MLD) against a supply of 1,450 MLD. The situation worsens during summer, when water levels in reservoirs like TG Halli and Kabini drop significantly. Experts suggest that instead of periodic Adalats, BWSSB should focus on long-term sustainability solutions such as rainwater harvesting enforcement, wastewater recycling, and equitable water distribution across high-density and newly developed areas.
From a sustainability perspective, water management remains one of Bengaluru’s biggest challenges. With climate change affecting rainfall patterns and groundwater depletion accelerating, the city’s dependence on external water sources, like the Cauvery, is unsustainable in the long run. Incorporating decentralised water conservation practices at both household and commercial levels is crucial to reducing dependency on government-supplied water. While BWSSB’s initiative provides a temporary resolution, a holistic approach that integrates civic participation, efficient policy implementation, and technological advancements is the need of the hour.
