Bengaluru water crisis spurs educational institutions to seek online alternatives as govt takes urgent measures

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Amid an unprecedented water crisis which has gripped Bengaluru, educational institutions are seeking alternative measures to cope with the situation.

The capital of Karnataka is grappling with a severe water shortage, particularly in areas where borewells have run dry.

In response to the crisis, a coaching centre located in Vijayanagar has urgently shifted its classes online for a week.

Similarly, a school on Bannerghatta Road has temporarily closed its doors, urging students to participate in virtual classes.

To address the water scarcity, Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, who is responsible for Bengaluru development, has declared the takeover of private tankers and borewells.

Even milk tankers will be repurposed to supply water. The government is contemplating setting a standardized rate for water per tanker, as the current charges have surged due to heightened demand, reaching between Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,800 compared to the usual Rs 700 to Rs 800.

In a bid to manage the crisis, the Karnataka government is establishing taluk-level control rooms and helplines dedicated to addressing water-related issues.