<p>Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Tuesday urged Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to approve a water tariff hike, citing the growing financial strain on day-to-day operations.</p><p>The board warned that annual revenue losses could reach Rs 1,000 crore following the launch of the Cauvery 5th phase, leaving no funds for new water supply infrastructure.</p><p>The submissions were made during a review meeting chaired by Shivakumar at the BWSSB headquarters. He directed officials to prepare a report outlining two or three options for tariff revision. “Our aim is to ensure the BWSSB can maintain services while minimising the burden on citizens,” he said.</p><p>However, Shivakumar refrained from revealing the percentage of the hike proposed by the BWSSB to address operational deficits.</p>.BWSSB plans to draw 500 MLD water under Cauvery 6th phase.<p>"For 11 years, there has been no increase in water tariffs, leading to annual losses of Rs 1,000 crore. The electricity bill alone has surged from Rs 35 crore to Rs 75 crore,” he stated, emphasising the inevitability of a tariff revision. Shivakumar also noted that BWSSB’s inability to raise loans stems from financial institutions’ reluctance to support a loss-making entity.</p><p>The BWSSB is also considering introducing a nominal charge for slum residents currently receiving free Cauvery water.</p><p>“Previously, the government allocated Rs 20 crore for water supply to slums and the poor, but the BJP government discontinued this subsidy. The BWSSB must track and charge even a minimal amount — perhaps just one paise — for connections,” Shivakumar said.</p><p>He also instructed the board to ensure an uninterrupted water supply during the summer. “If any lake requires filling to boost groundwater levels, immediate action should be taken,” he added.</p><p>Under the Cauvery 5th phase drinking water project, the BWSSB has issued approximately 15,000 new connections so far.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Tuesday urged Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to approve a water tariff hike, citing the growing financial strain on day-to-day operations.</p><p>The board warned that annual revenue losses could reach Rs 1,000 crore following the launch of the Cauvery 5th phase, leaving no funds for new water supply infrastructure.</p><p>The submissions were made during a review meeting chaired by Shivakumar at the BWSSB headquarters. He directed officials to prepare a report outlining two or three options for tariff revision. “Our aim is to ensure the BWSSB can maintain services while minimising the burden on citizens,” he said.</p><p>However, Shivakumar refrained from revealing the percentage of the hike proposed by the BWSSB to address operational deficits.</p>.BWSSB plans to draw 500 MLD water under Cauvery 6th phase.<p>"For 11 years, there has been no increase in water tariffs, leading to annual losses of Rs 1,000 crore. The electricity bill alone has surged from Rs 35 crore to Rs 75 crore,” he stated, emphasising the inevitability of a tariff revision. Shivakumar also noted that BWSSB’s inability to raise loans stems from financial institutions’ reluctance to support a loss-making entity.</p><p>The BWSSB is also considering introducing a nominal charge for slum residents currently receiving free Cauvery water.</p><p>“Previously, the government allocated Rs 20 crore for water supply to slums and the poor, but the BJP government discontinued this subsidy. The BWSSB must track and charge even a minimal amount — perhaps just one paise — for connections,” Shivakumar said.</p><p>He also instructed the board to ensure an uninterrupted water supply during the summer. “If any lake requires filling to boost groundwater levels, immediate action should be taken,” he added.</p><p>Under the Cauvery 5th phase drinking water project, the BWSSB has issued approximately 15,000 new connections so far.</p>
