Bengaluru, 25 March

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on 22 families in City for wasting Cauvery water. This was the first instance where the board has imposed a fine on water shortage.

According to data shared by the BWSSB, it has levied a total of ₹1,05,000 in 21 cases in seven different divisions.

BWSSB acted on the complaints received through social media, where people were found using drinking water to clean cars, gardens, and other purposes.

According to BWSSB, 13 cases were registered in the southeast alone, resulting in the collection of fines amounting to Rs 65,000. These cases represent the highest number of reported water violations in the southeast zone.

BWSSB has also banned the use of Cauvery water and borewell water for activities like pool dances and rain dances during Holi celebrations.

To further conserve water, BWSSB has mandated the installation of aerators in commercial establishments, apartments, restaurants, luxury hotels, and other public areas to regulate water flow from taps. Additionally, the government is considering treated wastewater as an alternative to Cauvery water for non-essential purposes, aiming to recharge dried lakes in the city using this resource.

However, despite the ban, Holi parties with rain dances were held.. Video capturing this violation went viral on social media, drawing considerable backlash. However, the apartment in Varthur, one of the locations involved, claimed that the water used for the Holi party was recycled.

When Salar News reached out to BWSSB officials it was found that no complaint had been registered with BWSSB regarding the same.