BENGALURU: With water tanker supply turning into a mafia in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has launched the Sanchari Cauvery project to supply water to the public at a low price. It is one of its kind in the country, said Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, after launching the programme on Friday.
BWSSB has fixed Rs 660 for 4,000 litres of water and Rs 740 for 6,000 litres. “Those involved in the water tanker business have dug about 3,000 borewells and charge up to Rs 3,000 per tanker. Today, under the Sanchari Cauvery scheme, water rates are fixed. This is not tubewell water, but clean drinking water provided by BWSSB,” Shivakumar said.
Last year, when there was a water shortage, the situation was handled in the best possible way. Now, it has been decided to fill the lakes and take steps to improve groundwater level, he added.
Shivakumar also briefed the media about his recent visit to Delhi and meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
“We discussed various development works related to Bengaluru. Today, the ‘Sarvarigu Sarala Cauvery’, which aims to provide easy Cauvery water connections to all, and ‘Sanchari Cauvery’ projects have been launched. Yesterday, the foundation stone was laid for a project to treat Vrishabhavati water at a cost of Rs 1,900 crore in Nelamangala, and fill lakes in Bengaluru Rural district. Every drop of water is important. Many may criticize this. But this is not the first such project. In Delhi too, Yamuna river water is supplied for growing plants, washing vehicles and for industries,” he said.
The minister also spoke about his interest in Cauvery Arathi on the lines of Ganga Arathi and said, “This programme has been designed so that everyone understands the importance of Cauvery and water. A tender has been called, and appropriate responsibilities will be given to the departments,” he said.
