Bengaluru, 26 March
Whitefield, Bengaluru’s IT hub, is witnessing a surge in illegal borewell drilling, with frustrated residents complaining about authorities failing to take action. Over the past five months, borewells have been drilled across multiple locations despite a ban imposed by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in February 2025 to conserve groundwater.

Cases were reported at three main locations in Whitefield:

1. Samarpan Layout, ECC Road—Borewells have been drilled here since February. Despite eviction attempts, the contractors have resumed drilling at least 17 times. BWSSB even filed a police complaint, but only a non-cognizable report (NCR) was registered.

2. 6th Cross, Prithvi Layout, Athashri Road—A borewell was dug, with claims of permission from the Karnataka Groundwater Authority.

3. Upkar Layout (SY 142)—Drilling was ongoing as of 26 March in a sub-layout that lacks Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) approval.

Illegal borewell drilling has also been reported in Prashant Layout (25–50 borewells), White Rose Layout, Pattandur Agrahara (25–100 borewells over the past 2–3 years), and SY 140 (around 20 borewells), according to Whitefield residents and confirmed by BWSSB.

Residents speak out

Sandeep Anirudhan, from Citizens’ Agenda for Bengaluru, criticised the authorities for their inaction. He told Salar News, 'There is no deterrent. Contractors are not penalised, jailed, or fined heavily. Their equipment is not seized, and the borewells are not sealed. The main culprit behind most drilling violations is Sri Sai Borewell drilling. It all seems like a well-oiled operation.'

Venkatesh, a resident from Glenmorgan, said: 'I have reported many illegal borewells and emailed the BWSSB chairman, but no action was taken. The police even asked why it concerned me. Despite sharing videos and locations in the BBMP ward committee WhatsApp group, officials claim the area falls under ‘110 village’. The police only issue warnings, and drilling resumes once they leave.'

Another Whitefield resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'In the past eight months, 13 borewells were dug on Borewell Road, Dodsworth Layout 5th Cross. Another seven were drilled near the 7th Cross and Borewell Main Road junction. Despite sharing video evidence, no action was taken. Now, construction has started without BBMP clearance, and thousands of litres of borewell water are used daily for curing.'

Authorities pass the blame

When asked about the illegal drilling, Karnataka Groundwater Authority (KGWA) Deputy Director Jayanna denied issuing any permissions. He told Salar News, 'We have not authorised anyone to carry out borewell drilling. The permissions contractors claim to have may have come from BWSSB.'

However, BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar shifted responsibility back to KGWA. He told Salar News, 'We have a limited mandate to control drilling up to 25,000 litres. Beyond that, KGWA has to decide. The issue is also a non-cognizable offence, meaning we need to go to court to register an FIR. We are trying to involve the BMTF force to take action against offenders.'

Salar News