Bengaluru is once again faced with a severe water crisis and nearly 6,997 of the city's 14,700 borewells have run dry. In response to the growing crisis, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, cabinet ministers, and officials called a crucial meeting to address the shortage of drinking water in the state capital.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar issued a stern warning to water tanker owners, threatening overhaul if they failed to register their tankers with the authorities by the March 7 deadline. Currently, only 10% of the total water tankers in Bengaluru have completed the registration process.
Why the Crisis?
Weakened southwest monsoon rainfalls depleted groundwater levels, while diminished water reserves in the Cauvery River basin reservoirs further compounded the issue. The city's rapid urbanisation against its inadequate infrastructure has further exacerbated the scarcity.
Given the situation, apartments and gated communities have instituted stringent measures to conserve water. Rationing measures are being implemented, alongside initiatives such as pool closures and adjustments to water pressure.
With summer forecast to be exceptionally harsh this year, over 7,000 villages across Karnataka and 1,193 wards, including those in Bengaluru Urban district, face the spectre of a drinking water crisis in the coming months. The vulnerable areas, as identified by the government, are in urgent need of attention and intervention.
The Solution
In response, the state government has allocated Rs 556 crore for water supply initiatives. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar stressed the collective responsibility in tackling the crisis, stressing that water was a shared resource belonging to all.
Plans are underway to establish a 'war room' where officials will collaborate to devise solutions. Additionally, efforts are being made to standardise the pricing of water tankers.
Meanwhile, residents are also stepping up efforts to conserve water. Several apartment complexes have implemented measures such as limiting car washes, reusing discharged water from RO purifiers, and advocating for waterless celebrations of festivals like Holi.
As Bengaluru grapples with its most severe water crisis yet, concerted efforts from both the government and citizens alike are imperative to mitigate the impact and ensure sustainable water management for the future.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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