New study anticipates water crisis in 80 Bengaluru wards by February 2025

Bengaluru: Over 80 wards, primarily in Bengaluru’s peripheral areas such as K R Puram and Mahadevapura, are expected to experience a decline in groundwater levels as early as February, with conditions worsening in March and April.

These findings stem from an in-depth study conducted by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

The study said groundwater levels in 110 villages beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR) are expected to drop by 20-25 meters. While areas within the Ring Road will also see declines, they are less reliant on groundwater due to a stable supply of piped water.

The 80 critical wards heavily depend on borewells, drawing approximately 800 million litres of water daily, as the BWSSB’s water distribution network remains incomplete in many of these regions.

Action plan

Following last year’s harsh summer, which made global headlines, the BWSSB formed a special task force comprising IISc scientists and officials from the state and central groundwater development departments.

Over six months, the task force analysed water supply and groundwater data to devise a sustainable action plan, according to BWSSB Chairman Dr Ram Prasath Manohar.

Manohar urged residents, particularly in high-risk wards, to reduce their dependence on borewells and switch to Cauvery water connections. He mentioned the increased availability of water under the Cauvery Stage V project.

Challenges in water distribution

Despite these improvements, residents in some areas remain without Cauvery water connections due to the absence of feeder and sub-feeder lines.

For instance, Kochu Shankar, a resident of Banjara Layout in Horamavu, said they have not received a single drop of water, despite promises from the BWSSB since October last year.

Key infrastructure projects, including the ground-level reservoir at NRI Layout and the sewage treatment plant at Rampura, have stalled with no visible progress.

Neglected lakes 

Experts have also criticised the lack of measures by the BBMP and BDA to improve the groundwater table in the city’s outskirts. The rejuvenation of major lakes such as Bellandur and Varthur, each spanning 800 acres, remains incomplete, further compounding the water crisis.

Some of the critical wards

1. Konankunte

2. T Dasarahalli

2. V Nagenahalli

3. Horamavu

4. Ramamurthy Nagar

5. Kammanahalli

6. Kadugondanahalli

7. Jakkur