Poor response to Cauvery project puts BWSSB in a fix

 The ambitious Cauvery IV Stage II project has found no takers. Five months after its launch in October 2012, the board has managed only 43,513 connections against 1,04,272 applications, a far cry from the estimated two lakh connections.

The lukewarm response has put the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in a fix, which is unable to raise enough money to pay its energy bill.Besides the newly added areas, the project was also intended to stabilise water supply in core areas.

According to a BWSSB official, many consumers are not ready to make payment and avail of new connections as they are unsure of water supply. Residents are also pessimistic about BWSSB supplying them water through pipelines.

Anjanappa, member of Ramamurthy Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, said despite buying application forms and completing formalities, many were yet to receive water. “Residents are reluctant to avail of new connections wanting the Board to supply water first,” he said.

Explaining the delay, a senior Board official said if only five residents of a street apply for new connections, the Board cannot supply water only to the five, as water passes through to even those yet to avail of new connections.

He also pointed out the delay on the part of the consumers in furnishing filled-up forms, documents, demand draft, etc. There is a further delay in the Board processing the forms, conducting inspection and enabling water connection.

Feasibility plan

According to BWSSB’s feasibility plan for Phase II project, it was estimated that after the commissioning of complete 500 MLD (million litres of water per day), the Board could earn Rs 34 crore per month as additional revenue. Currently, it is supplying about 200 MLD per day, which, going by the feasibility plan calculation, brings in just Rs 13.6 crore.

Water is pumped in three stages at Thorekadanahalli, Tataguni and Harohalli pumping stations.

To draw Phase II water, the BWSSB has since September 2012 to January 2013 paid Rs 11.79 crore for power supply. This in addition to the monthly power charges ranging from Rs 23 crore to Rs 25 crore.

With power tariff revised twice ever since the Phase II project was taken up, BWSSB’s spending on pumping water has increased with hardly any recovery in water bill collection.

The Board’s proposal to increase water tariff is awaiting government’s ratification.