BWSSB to hire 120 private tankers to supply water

It will also repair 8,000 borewells across the City

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is all set to hire over 120 private water tankers, besides using 70-odd tankers owned by the Board to quench the growing thirst this summer. 

The Board has planned to hire private vehicles for Rs 1,650 per day per tanker to make five trips to transport and distribute water to the parched areas of the City.   

With Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda announcing the release of Rs 100 crore towards water supply for the citizens of Bangalore, the BWSSB wants to utilise the funds to the maximum in supplying water to the newly added BBMP areas where the residents are yet to receive piped water. A BWSSB official said that the Board will also ensure repair of all the existing 8,000 borewells and enable people to draw water. But new borewells will not be sunk by the Board this year.

“If there is a need to sink borewells, permission from Mines and Geology department needs to be taken,” he added. Many borewells sunk by BBMP this year are yet to be handed over to the BWSSB for maintenance.
 
The Board, which hired over 100 tankers last year, received many complaints from citizens about the loopholes in the distribution system. 

At many places there were touts who made money by selling water to the residents. The people were unaware of the fact that the water was meant to be distributed free of cost.  This year, BWSSB is inviting suggestions from the public to streamline the distribution system.

Last year, BWSSB spent over Rs 22 crore, including Rs four crore for supplying water through tankers, Rs eight crore towards borewell maintenance and Rs 10 crore as power charges.  The Board sent over 50-60 tankers to areas in Bangalore East which is at the tail end of the supply network.

But this year, the Board is hoping to provide equal distribution.

“We want the public to be alert this year and not be compelled to buy water from BWSSB tankers. If they come across any touts collecting money, the matter must be reported to the nearest police station immediately,” the official added.