<p>With temperatures soaring, water is becoming scarce. With this, more Bengalureans are turning to private water tankers which are fleecing them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The price of water supplied through private tankers has shot up and it fluctuates depending on the area. In areas like Electronics City, Bannerghatta Road and Sarjapur Road, a tanker of water costs Rs 2,500. <br /><br />Shankar, a water tanker operator on Sarjapur Road said: “This is peak season. In summers, since water is scarce, demand increases and so do the rates. It’s hotter this year than before and water levels have dropped. The number of apartment complexes have increased and everyone needs water. The rates have increased. We are forced to charge Rs 2,000-2,500, depending on the location, compared to Rs 1,500-2,000 last year.”<br /><br />In some apartment complexes, people are forced to pay over and above their monthly maintenance. <br /><br />“Earlier, water charges were included in the maintenance. But now, the apartment association charges us more and we are forced to pay Rs 4,000 extra a month for tanker water. This has affected our monthly budget,” said Kishor B, a resident of Whitefield. <br /><br />Tankers charge more for supply during night. Anand, a water tanker supplier in Chamarajpet said the present market rate of a water tanker in the central business district is Rs 1,000. <br />Last year, the rate was around Rs 800. Since most roads are narrow and one-ways, tankers cannot travel easily and water pipes are also small. <br /><br />Since water tankers have fixed territories, they charge more for supplying outside their localities. <br /><br />“Four tanker suppliers refused to come to Kamakshipalya as it was not their territory. One supplier agreed but asked me to pay Rs 1,200 instead of Rs 800,” said Shivamurthy, a resident of Kamakshipalya. <br /><br />“The rates for tankers have increased because underground water levels have depleted. We have to pay the borewell owner and for diesel and power. Sometimes, we have to pay more for transport if the demand is high,” explained Ravi Kumar, a water tanker operator. <br />DH News Service</p>
<p>With temperatures soaring, water is becoming scarce. With this, more Bengalureans are turning to private water tankers which are fleecing them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The price of water supplied through private tankers has shot up and it fluctuates depending on the area. In areas like Electronics City, Bannerghatta Road and Sarjapur Road, a tanker of water costs Rs 2,500. <br /><br />Shankar, a water tanker operator on Sarjapur Road said: “This is peak season. In summers, since water is scarce, demand increases and so do the rates. It’s hotter this year than before and water levels have dropped. The number of apartment complexes have increased and everyone needs water. The rates have increased. We are forced to charge Rs 2,000-2,500, depending on the location, compared to Rs 1,500-2,000 last year.”<br /><br />In some apartment complexes, people are forced to pay over and above their monthly maintenance. <br /><br />“Earlier, water charges were included in the maintenance. But now, the apartment association charges us more and we are forced to pay Rs 4,000 extra a month for tanker water. This has affected our monthly budget,” said Kishor B, a resident of Whitefield. <br /><br />Tankers charge more for supply during night. Anand, a water tanker supplier in Chamarajpet said the present market rate of a water tanker in the central business district is Rs 1,000. <br />Last year, the rate was around Rs 800. Since most roads are narrow and one-ways, tankers cannot travel easily and water pipes are also small. <br /><br />Since water tankers have fixed territories, they charge more for supplying outside their localities. <br /><br />“Four tanker suppliers refused to come to Kamakshipalya as it was not their territory. One supplier agreed but asked me to pay Rs 1,200 instead of Rs 800,” said Shivamurthy, a resident of Kamakshipalya. <br /><br />“The rates for tankers have increased because underground water levels have depleted. We have to pay the borewell owner and for diesel and power. Sometimes, we have to pay more for transport if the demand is high,” explained Ravi Kumar, a water tanker operator. <br />DH News Service</p>