Water shortage in Bengaluru: Tanker bill per house goes up to Rs 25k here

BENGALURU: Residents of Kamadhenu Layout in Mahadevapura have been grappling with severe water shortage for over 18 months now, forcing them to rely on very few private water tankers to meet their daily needs. The situation has escalated to the point where families are outbidding each other to get tankers to oblige to their demand, and each household is spending anywhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 every month on water.
BWSSB officials attribute the delay in addressing the issue to the pending activation of Cauvery Stage 5.
Rishabh Aditya, a software engineer and new father, shared the difficulties faced by his family due to irregular water supply. "I have an infant at home, and water has become a top priority for us. We need it for cooking, cleaning, and giving warm baths to the baby. Unfortunately, we receive no support from BWSSB, and we are forced to rely on tankers," he said.
Aditya described the frustration of having to stay awake until late at night to ensure water delivery. "Tankers supply water based on who books first. With more than 100 people in the layout, we often have to wait until 1am, which is exhausting," he said.
The cost of water from tankers varies, with residents paying anywhere between Rs 1,500 and Rs 4,000 for a 5,000-litre load. For larger families, the expenses quickly add up. Naveenchandra Keshavmurthy, another resident, shared that his household spends Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 each month on water. "We are in absolute misery because of the lack of BWSSB water supply. Despite our complaints, nothing has been done," he maintained.
Senior citizens living in the area are also feeling the pinch, especially those who rely on pension and savings. Jaishankar V, an elderly resident, expressed concern over the financial strain caused by the ongoing crisis. "It is painful for us, especially those who are retired. Depending on tankers every day is draining our savings, and monthly costs are overwhelming just for basic water supply," he lamented.
Venkateshwar, a local tanker owner, said the challenges faced by operators in sourcing and supplying water to the area. "There is a huge demand for water here, and it is difficult for us to source enough to meet everyone's needs. We charge reasonable rates, but residents still complain."
The residents approached BWSSB officials multiple times, but have only received assurances. According to BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar, the delay is due to the pending release of Cauvery Stage 5 water. "These layouts, including Kamadhenu, were developed in 110 villages, and water supply was not originally allocated for them. However, in a few weeks, they will receive water from BWSSB. We are working to address the tanker mafia problem in the area," he said.