Bengaluru: 22 families fined Rs 1.10 lakh for 'misusing' water amid crisis

Bengaluru,UPDATED: Mar 26, 2024 15:43 IST

Authorities in Bengaluru have fined 22 families for allegedly "misusing" drinking water for non-essential activities like cleaning cars as the city battles its worst water crisis in decades. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board (BWSSB) has collected a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh in just three days.

Authorities have appealed to Bengaluru residents to use water judiciously. "Most of the complaints are being registered from the south-east of the city, and along with complaints, warnings and appeals are being issued to the people asking them to use water sparingly," BWSSB chairperson Ram Prashant Manohar said.

The south-west area of the city alone has accounted for fines worth Rs 65,000 out of the total 1.10 lakh levied so far, officials said.

Earlier this month, the BWSSB imposed a ban on the use of water for cleaning vehicles, gardening, building construction, running fountains etc.

"The temperatures are rising in the city every day, and the groundwater level has decreased due to lack of rain in recent days. As a result, it is necessary to prevent wastage of water in the city, and it has been made necessary for the public to use drinking water sparingly," a BWSSB order read.

In mid-March, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that Bengaluru was facing a shortage of 500 million litres of water per day (MLD) against the actual requirement of 2,600 MLDs. He also said that "out of 14,000 borewells in Bengaluru, 6,900 have dried up".

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