Raising water tariff in Bengaluru inevitable, says Karnataka Deputy CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said raising the water tariff in Bengaluru has become unavoidable, as the water board is facing an annual loss of Rs 1,000 crore. He told reporters that he has directed officials to prepare a report on the proposed water tariff increase. “I have asked officials to submit a report on the water tariff hike, a decision will be taken soon. We are also taking steps to measure water consumption accurately,” said the Deputy CM, after a meeting with the officials of the Bengaluru civic agencies at Cauvery Bhavan.

He pointed out that the water tariff has not been increased since 2014, leading to an annual loss of Rs 1,000 crore for the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). "The electricity bill for the Board has increased from Rs 35 crore to Rs 75 crore." “Water tariff hike has become inevitable. The officials of the BWSSB have had discussions with all the MLAs of the city. The Board is finding it difficult to raise funds as the banks are refusing to lend due to losses,” Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, explained.

To a query on the quantum of water tariff hike, he stated that no decision has been made yet, and it will be determined after a thorough discussion. He emphasised that even the poor should contribute a token amount, such as one paise per liter, to help the Board accurately measure water usage. When asked about bringing a One Time Settlement (OTS) on water bills, Shivakumar hinted at an introduction of the same, and directed officials to report to their higher-ups regarding defaulters. The OTS was of fered on the property tax arrears due to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) last year.

Regarding preparations for the summer, the Deputy Chief Minister said officials have been directed to take necessary steps to ensure that Bengaluru does not face any water shortage this summer. "We have instructed officials to expedite filling up tanks to charge ground water in the city," he said. Shivakumar disclosed that the BWSSB has issued 15,000 new connections under Cauvery fifth stage and it is yet to issue an additional 20,000 connections. Many apartment complexes are yet to take Cauvery water connections. All of them have been informed that it is mandatory.

‘Tender for tunnel road to be floated by Feb’

The tendering process for the 18 kilometre tunnel road project from Hebbal to Silk Board will start from February, Deputy CM Shivakumar told reporters. The project is seeing strong opposition from citizens, activists and opposition leaders, who cite unsustainability and the inability of the BBMP to take up the project after its 'error riddled' Detailed Project Report drew attention for the wrong reasons.

The tender will be taken up at a cost of Rs 17,780 crore and will be completed in two phases. “Some banks including Power Finance Corporation and HUDCO have come forward to provide loans. An auction process has also been called for this. Those who offer money at a low interest rate will be given the opportunity,” he said.