Bengalureans fret as borewells dry up, tankers cost a bomb

City Top story

Exorbitant amounts charged by private water tankers

By Sahana S

Bangalore, April 8, 2019

Bengalureans are having a tough time because of the rising temperature and water shortage. Several areas, such as Whitefield, Dasarahalli and Yelahanka, are facing a severe water crisis as borewells have nearly dried up. Residents of these areas are currently  relying on water tankers.

Speaking to The Observer, Shankar Villopilly, who lives in an apartment in Whitefield, informed The Observer: “I had never faced water shortage in my apartment. However, of late, we have had a tough time as the borewell located in our apartment has dried up.”

Areas surrounding Bellandur and Whitefield do not get a regular supply of Cauvery water, forcing most residents to depend on borewells.

With rampant exploitation of groundwater, borewells in the city are drying up.

“We have used tank water for around a year as there is a severe shortage in our ward. Despite using tank water, we are unable to get adequate access to water,” Shewtha B, a resident of Bellandur, said.

Residents of Dasarahalli and Yelahanka say their problems have increased despite them complaining to BWSSB officials.

Kishan Bogle, a resident of Dasarahalli, said: “The problems are multiplying every summer. There is an immense need of water in our locality. Even though our apartment owner has complained regarding water problems, including the dry borewells, officials have taken no action.”

Voicing a similar opinion, Poojashree, from the same apartment block in Dasarahalli, said, “Tanker water is not sufficient for everyone. We have to purchase water from other places.”

Shravan M, a resident of Purva Venezia, Yelahanka New Town, said: “I plan to shift to JP Nagar as there is a severe shortage of water in our ward. Although there is a borewell in our apartment, we have to purchase water from private tankers.”

According to data, there are around 958 bore wells in the city, out of which 272 bore wells have gone dry. Eastern Bengaluru has the maximum number of dry wells, followed by Bengaluru South.

To obtain water from the borewells, people have started digging deeper.

“Initially, we dug 400 feet to get water, and now we had to dig around 900 feet. The borewells dry up within a month, and then we have to rely on tanker water,” complained Praveen, a resident of Banashankari II Stage.

The residents are unhappy over the high amounts they have to pay for tanker water.

“We have to pay Rs 1,700 for a private tanker that has 5,000 litres of water. At times they charge more than that. It has become a major problem in the apartment block,” Shwetha B, who lives in Patel Chinnapa apartment at Banashankari III Stage, said.

BWSSB assistant executive Engineer, Kundanahalli, Mirza Anwar said a meeting would be held to discuss the exorbitant amounts charged by private water tankers and a permanent solution found.

According to a Deccan Herald report, the BWSSB has called for online applications to dig borewells in areas that have a shortage of Cauvery water.

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