Workers install Cauvery water pipelines near Majestic in Bengaluru.
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: Close to 3,500 apartment complexes and one lakh other buildings, including commercial establishments in the city, will soon be able to get Cauvery water connections by paying just 20% of the connection charges as a down payment, with the remaining amount payable in 12 EMIs.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is all set to launch the EMI option from Friday to help these complexes obtain water connections. With this move, the BWSSB expects to generate revenue of nearly Rs 800 crore.
In October 2024, the BWSSB launched the Cauvery Stage V project to extend Cauvery water supply to 110 villages that were added to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits in 2008. However, so far, only around 98,000 properties have applied for Cauvery water connections against an expected 3.5 lakh connections.
Will ease the process
The EMI scheme has been planned to encourage more property owners to apply for Cauvery connections. "This will help both the property owners and the BWSSB. While we’ll be able to attract more applicants, consumers won’t have to worry as much about financing,” BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar V told DH.
He added that increasing the number of Cauvery water connections would also help curb the overexploitation of groundwater through borewells.
Once consumers pay the 20% down payment, they will receive a Cauvery water connection within 20 days. The EMI for the remaining amount will then be included in their monthly water bills for the next 12 months.
Many apartment complexes had earlier complained that the connection charges were too high, placing a burden on residents. As a result, several had delayed applying for Cauvery water connections. The EMI scheme will benefit many such apartments, said K Arun Kumar, governing council member of the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF).
“The charges can run into crores for some apartment complexes, so this scheme will be very useful. For many middle-class households, paying large amounts close to Rs 1 lakh upfront is difficult. Many apartments will benefit from this,” Kumar said.
In numbers
Expected apartment connections: 3,500
Other connections expected: 1,00,000
Total revenue expected: Rs 800 crore