Bengaluru Water Crisis: Government Mulls Temporary Ban On Construction

Last year, the Centre for Science and Environment-backed  Down To Earth magazine predicted that all the taps may start running dry by mid-2018 in Bengaluru. While the prediction has not come true as yet, the city is certainly on the verge of an imminent water crisis. Keeping that in mind, the Karnataka government is considering a temporary ban on construction activities in Bengaluru in the next five years. 

The amount of water required at a construction site, from its use in mixing the raw materials to using it to make the mortar strong, is enormous. Gallons of water are used and the usage exceeds as per the volume of construction or the size of the project. While environmental activists and scientists are looking for a viable way of construction, authorities are proposing a temporary ban altogether.  

A ban on construction activities will solve the problem to some extent. Reports suggest that the idea of a temporary ban is to give the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) enough time to ensure that all suburbs are supplied piped drinking water. The estimated time taken for this project to complete is five years. A detailed report has also been demanded on the proposed Linganamakki project. The project that aims to divert water from the Netravati river to parts of Karnataka, is still in its planning stages. 

Water shortage is giving birth to numerous other issues, too. Residents, for instance, complain that the water mafia is now a persistent problem across the city.  

“We are dependent on private suppliers for water. We know that they have been digging the earth to an unforgivable extent, but what can be done if the taps run dry,” says Sarjapur-resident Krishna Rai, a teacher by profession. 

“At school, we teach the children about water harvesting. The reality is completely different. Less than 10 per cent of households harvest rainwater, and families like mine are dependent on tanker water. I can either protest and waste my time or use what is available,” Rai adds. 

Ujjal Biswas, 30, says the water crisis has been creating a discord among people as well. “Given the city’s potential, job providers and employees come here. It is an attractive option for everyone, but the city is not able to handle the pressure. In my apartment, there are some people who are constantly at odds with ‘outsiders’ or migrants because they believe we have added to the load- be it traffic, unauthorised construction or water crisis,” laments Biswas, who works in a leading IT company.  

According to him, haphazard planning is majorly the cause. “Why set shops up when you can’t entertain customers? None of us are free-loaders,” he says. 

City-based broker Vijay Rajkamath believes that the cost of urban planning and rampant construction have paved way for such misery. Inefficient waste and sewage management and water pollution make matters worse. "Bengaluru attracts the best of the talent. Those who have deep pockets end up buying homes within a beautiful housing society that does everything wrong in the name of being self-sufficient,” Rajkamath points out.  

As of now, the BWSSB can handle only 60 per cent of city’s needs. Efforts are being undertaken to improve this number but the cost of pumping water uphill from the Cauvery, is estimated at $6 million per month. 

Those who understand the real estate sector say that a temporary ban may be a wise idea, but could be tough for the stakeholders. “No market here has been doing too well. Oversupply has been a problem everywhere. It has to be seen how the city would provide housing to new numbers,” says Rajkamath. He insists that authorities should delve deeper before going ahead with the move.  

The sector employs lakhs of people every year. In that sense, the ban is going to hurt the city.