Bengaluru: In response to the looming water crisis in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, issued a stern warning on Monday to water tanker owners and operators. He emphasized that non-registered water tankers would face seizure by the government if they fail to register with the authorities before the March 7 deadline.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office, Shivakumar highlighted the urgency of the situation. He noted that out of the 3,500 water tankers operating in Bengaluru, only 219 have completed the registration process. Stressing that water is a communal resource, Shivakumar instructed officials to mobilize water supply from areas with abundant groundwater.
Furthermore, Shivakumar disclosed a substantial allocation of funds amounting to Rs 556 crore to mitigate the water crisis in Bengaluru. Each MLA representing Bengaluru has been allocated Rs 10 crore to address water scarcity in their respective constituencies. Additionally, the BBMP has earmarked Rs 148 crore, while the BWSSB has set aside Rs 128 crore to tackle the issue.
To streamline grievance redressal, Shivakumar announced the establishment of BBMP helplines and ward-wise complaint centers. A dedicated “war room” has also been established for real-time monitoring of the situation, with senior officials and himself personally overseeing operations on a daily basis.
Acknowledging the severity of the water shortage, Shivakumar urged residents to utilize water judiciously. He emphasized the importance of refraining from using drinking water for non-essential purposes such as gardening and car washing, suggesting the use of treated water for such activities instead.