2 months after launch, BWSSB’s 'Sarala Cauvery’ scheme has few takers

The initiative, offering EMI options for Cauvery water connections, has drawn a tepid response, with only around 1,791 applications in two months.

Bengaluru: The BWSSB's 'Sarala Cauvery' initiative, offering EMI options for Cauvery water connections, has drawn a tepid response, with only around 1,791 applications in two months.

Data accessed by DH showed that about 1,600 residential buildings and 125 apartment complexes had applied under the scheme.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had aimed to cover at least one lakh buildings, including 3,500 apartment complexes, when it launched the initiative.

In October 2024, the BWSSB introduced the Cauvery Stage V project to supply water to 110 villages added to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits in 2008. Despite door-to-door campaigns and extensive publicity, only 1.2 lakh properties applied for connections against a target of 3.5 lakh.

Citing high connection charges, many residents had hesitated to apply, prompting the BWSSB to roll out the Sarala Cauvery scheme. Yet, this, too, failed to attract significant numbers.

BWSSB Chairman Ramprasad Manohar V maintained the response was not entirely poor.

“Close to 20,000 of them have applied without opting for the scheme. Given that many residential buildings, with lower connection fees, may stay out of the plan, the response is not very bad,” he said.

Another official noted the need for a mindset shift to curb excessive groundwater use.

"It is probably people’s mindset. For years, they are used to utilising borewell water, which does not cost them much. Now, if they opt for Cauvery water, they will have to pay upfront connection charges and monthly water bills and hence, may not be very keen on it,” a senior BWSSB official explained.

June 30 was the deadline to apply.

However, apartment complexes remain interested, but need more time, representatives from the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF) said.

“The EMI option is definitely helpful for apartments since the connection charges run into crores. But they can apply only after their council approves the proposal. Associations must call a general body meeting before taking a decision, so there might be a delay,” said K Arun Kumar, governing council member, BAF.

He urged the BWSSB to extend the deadline or keep the scheme open permanently.

Scheme extended by two months

BWSSB Chairman Ramprasat Manohar V said the board will extend the scheme by two months.

As per the earlier announcement, June 30 was the last date to apply. The scheme offers EMI options for those seeking Cauvery water connections.