Have Bengaluru’s beloved water ATMs jacked up prices? Some charge Rs 10 for 20 litres

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Those regularlarly sourcing drinking water from the popular water ATMs, were in for a shock recently with a few suppliers in the South Zone of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) reportedly doubling prices from the usual Rs 5 to Rs10 for 20 litres of water.

Media reports last week had suggested that the maintenance of RO filter plants is difficult. “The filter units consume a lot of power, resulting in high electricity bills. It was not sustainable at one point,” said an employee deployed at a unit at Kengal Hanumanthaiah Layout in Madiwala ward.

News Trail did a reality check and found that another water point near Bannerghatta Road had also increased the price after the staff were reportedly told to do it by BBMP officials.

“We were told to increase the prices from Thursday, 18th July,” claimed Jaffar, a staff member. At the water point near Christ University at SG Palya, the staff are planning to increase the price from Monday July 29.

“We received information from other water points in the same area and we have therefore decided to implement the hike,” a staffer told NT on the condition of anonymity.

The water point was run by a private agency. Another staffer claimed the borewell for the water is about to run dry. Street vendors and the lowermiddle class will bear the brunt of the hike.

Raghavendra, who runs a stall near Christ University, lamented that the hike will impact his expenses. Interestingly, in neighbouring Jayanagar, NT found no such increase in prices at Tilak Nagar or Byrasandra. Vinoth Priya, Zonal Commissioner, South, BBMP, assured that reports of the price hike will be verified.

“Most water ATMs are run by private agencies. The chief engineer will be notified to verify prices,'' she said. Sources in BBMP asserted that no order has been issued to double prices adding “It always remained the same.”