Water Crisis: Bengaluru Exodus, Housing Societies Impose 8-Hour Water Shutdowns, School Bans; ₹5,000 Fine for Pool Water

Bengaluru, the third most populous city in the country, is increasingly becoming ensnared in a tightening grip of water scarcity. As a result, approximately 14 million residents are compelled to seek alternative options.

Many individuals have initiated the process of relocating from the city. On the other hand, those who were once seeking to purchase homes have begun to reconsider their choices. Meanwhile, organizations, housing societies, companies, and individuals are collaborating to combat the crisis and work on conservation measures.

People are resorting to various practices, from installing water-saving devices on taps to using buckets for handwashing and laundry. In many housing societies, the provision of water supply for four hours in the morning and evening has been curtailed.

Demand for Remote Work from Home Rises among IT Companies

On social media, people are pleading with the Chief Minister of the state to urge IT companies to make work from home mandatory for them. This way, they can escape from this problem by either staying in the city or going to their homes elsewhere. Coaching centers and schools are advising children to take classes from home instead of coming to school.

IIM Bengaluru Implements Water Reuse

Deepak Raghav, another technical expert, stated that they have come from Kolkata. He mentioned that due to rent, they have to pay ₹1500 every two weeks for 6000 liters of water. The tube well at home has dried up.

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM) has announced that it is reusing more than 250,000 liters of water daily through its Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). To expand its operations, 57 artificial lakes have been dug up, and 17 wells are being constructed.

Water Crisis in Chennai: Water Transported by Train in 2019

In 2019, Chennai witnessed a severe water crisis that had escalated to alarming levels. The situation had become so dire that water had to be transported by water trains. In reality, Chennai, the sixth-largest city in the country, relies on water supply from four reservoirs, which had dried up. 

Delayed monsoons exacerbated the shortage. Consequently, the government had to issue daily orders for the transportation of 100 million liters of water by train, incurring a cost of 660 million rupees.

Water Crisis Echoes in Hyderabad, Demand for Tankers Quadruples

Hyderabad is also echoing with the voice of a water crisis. Water from two primary sources – Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir (Krishna River) and Yellampalli Reservoir (Godavari River) – is dangerously low. The water levels in both reservoirs have plummeted to alarming levels. 

In many areas, the demand for water tankers has suddenly quadrupled. In the Manikonda area, people have taken to the streets in protest against the water scarcity.

Water Crisis Looms Over 10 Cities Until 2030: NITI Aayog Report

A recent report by NITI Aayog has projected that by the year 2030, nearly 10 cities in India could face a severe water crisis. Included in the list are Jaipur, Delhi, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Gurugram, Indore, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ghaziabad.