Bengaluru Water Crisis: Amid Protests, Experts Propose Ban on Construction Site Water Supply
Bengaluru residents protest water disruptions amid city's ongoing crisis. Experts propose construction site water bans to mitigate worsening scarcity.
image for illustrative purpose
Residents of the 32-storey Shapoorji Pallonji Parkwest housing society in Bengaluru's central area faced water supply disruptions, sparking protests. The residents of these luxury flats, which cost Rs 2 crore onwards, are compelled to protest against water supply.
Bengaluru water crisis comes right before the peak summer months. With dried-up bore wells and strained tanker services, apartment owners are struggling for water.
The city's rampant construction is blamed for exacerbating the water scarcity. Unplanned construction and infrastructure expansion have burdened the already strained water resources. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted that nearly half of Bengaluru's borewells have dried up. Areas annexed into the city since 2007 rely heavily on borewells due to inadequate piped water supply from the Kaveri River.
Even areas that used to receive regular piped water supply now face shortages. Residents like Sayan Saha from Begur Road have been left without water for days, relying on tanker water or friends' assistance. Water scarcity in Bengaluru has become a pressing issue, affecting residents across various neighbourhoods.
Experts propose banning water supply to large construction sites, especially those near the eastern IT corridor. These sites significantly contribute to groundwater depletion, relying mainly on borewells for water. The impact of construction activities on water resources is a major concern for sustainability.
TV Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science suggests penalties for developers using groundwater and promoting the use of treated water from treatment plants.
BWSSB plans to collaborate with CREDAI Bengaluru to supply treated water to construction sites and large housing societies from April 2. According to Ramachandra, one of the causes of the water crisis in Bengaluru is the city's over-construction without proper water management. He urges the state government to enforce stricter regulations on water supply to construction sites to avoid worsening the situation during peak summer months.
