Water crisis deepens: Harohalli’s strains expose B'luru’s vulnerabilities

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: In Bengaluru, areas such as Whitefield and Marathahalli are grappling with severe water shortages, primarily due to their dependence on water tankers. Approximately 60% of the city’s 14 million residents rely on Cauvery water, while the remaining 40% depend on groundwater. The summer of 2024 has exacerbated the situation, leading to a crisis as over half of the city’s 14,000 public borewells have gone dry. Consequently, outlying areas that rely on water tankers sourced from borewells are facing severe shortages. Harohalli, a village about 10 km from Whitefield, has become a critical water source for Bengaluru.

With over 15 borewell filling stations and about 400 trips made daily, the village’s infrastructure is struggling under the pressure. The roads are often dusty and uneven, worsening transportation issues. Residents have reported worsening conditions since 2020, with illegal borewells and corruption compounding their difficulties. The village, which used to receive daily water from a panchayat-dug borewell, now gets water only once a week. Women and farmers are hardest hit, often paying up to ?550 for a tanker of water.

Former gram panchayat president Babu Reddy noted that water extraction permissions granted to two companies in 2020 led to protests and a pending high court case due to official neglect. Despite efforts to address the issue, including local protests and official task forces, the crisis continues, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water management in Bengaluru.