Pvt tanker owners hike prices as water crisis deepens

Cashing in on the prevailing drinking water crisis, owners of private water tankers in the city have hiked the prices by 40% in the last one month.

A 10,000-litre water tanker load, which cost Rs 750 in February, is now being sold for between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,250. Similarly, the price of a 6,000-litre water tanker load that was in the range of Rs 500 now costs Rs 800.

The hike in rates has been noticed in areas like Whitefield, Banashankari 3rd Stage, Sarjapura, KR Puram and RR Nagar. According to sources, there are around 30,000 private tankers in the BWSSB limits. Illegal borewells is another menace to which BBMP has remained a mute spectator.

A BWSSB official said, “We have sent a proposal to BBMP officials to chalk out measures and frame laws against private tanker owners who own illegal borewells, but so far there has been no response. The tankers should display the rate card.”
 BWSSB chief engineer Kemparamaiah said they have decided to provide free water to people staying in 110 villages newly added to BBMP for the next two months.

He said, “We have written a letter to the urban development department to allot Rs 74 crore for this purpose and also for renting out tankers. We will purchase 60 tankers of 6,000-litre capacity this month and another 120 of the same capacity next month for supplying water to the public.” For any problem related to water supply, people can contact helpline number: 080-22238888.