BENGALURU: It’s fashionable to drive around in a dirty car these days, it means you are conserving water. It also means that several car wash centres are suffering financial losses after the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) imposed a ban on using potable water for non-essential purposes, including car washing. The order, which entails a hefty fine of Rs 5,000 for every violation, has left many car wash units and their employees in the city’s JC Nagar and Shivajinagar areas with no choice but to seek alternative sources of income.
Car wash centres, opposing the order, argue that they rely on water tankers to meet their needs for car washing. They explained that using treated water is not viable due to its high salt content, which could potentially damage vehicle paint and quality.
Habib, who has been working at Wash N Wash service station in Shivajinagar, told TNIE, “To continue with our business, we tried switching to a water-efficient service with dry wash, cleaning the car with a cloth and using a vacuum to clean the interiors, but customers are not showing much interest. According to them, this method does not last.”
Habib added that many have started washing their cars themselves. “We fear this trend may continue in the long term, leaving us in a situation beyond our control,” he said.
“Due to the ongoing water crisis, we are close to shutting down our car wash centre,” said Shahrukh Ali, owner of Hazrat Car and Bike Spa Centre in Shivajinagar. Shahrukh, who had a team of three people, now has only Mani to help him with the work. “Both the employees have turned daily wage labourers in construction projects,” Shahrukh said, and stressed that the authorities should offer alternative solutions to support such businesses to stay afloat.
Javed, who had been working at Saleem Car Care in JC Nagar, said, “Following BWSSB’s fines on families using drinking water for non-essential purposes, people have become very cautious. Even our regular customers are worried, and fear they might face repercussions if they bring their vehicles for a wash.”
