Water crisis: Bengaluru civic agency opens war room; milk tankers to be used for water supply

Speaking to reporters on water crisis in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “We have set up a war room to monitor the water situation in Bengaluru in real-time. BBMP helplines and ward-wise grievance centers are in place to address complaints related to water shortage in the city. Senior officials and I will personally oversee the situation daily. Providing drinking water to the citizens is the government’s responsibility. There is no need to be worried.”

First floods, now dry days: Decoding tech hub Bengaluru’s water woes

Meanwhile, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic agency, has nominated nodal officers in 110 villages (outer areas added to the BBMP limits in 2008) across 35 wards, including five wards in RR zone, 10 in Bommanahalli, 12 in Mahadevapura, 3 in Dasarahalli, and five in Yelahanka.

A BBMP statement urged residents of these 35 wards to contact the control room at 1533 in the corporation’s head office, while others could reach BWSSB’s helpline at 1916 to report water-related issues. According to BBMP records, there are 14,781 borewells in the city, with 6,997 dried up and 7,784 functional.

Only 219 private water tankers registered

The deputy CM also warned private water tanker lorries that are yet to register with the civic body. “Only 219 out of 3,500 private water tankers in Bengaluru are registered with BBMP so far, and the unregistered ones will be seized after March 7,” said Shivakumar.

He emphasised that water belongs to the government, and he instructed authorities to supply water from areas with high groundwater levels on the outskirts of Bengaluru. “BWSSB is already using 210 tankers to distribute water for free. The election code of conduct will not hinder the water supply,” he said.