BWSSB registers 112 cases of water wastage, collects Rs 5.6 lakh in fines

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A week after the order on not using cauvery water for non drinking purposes, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) registered 112 cases and encashed on fines amounting to Rs. 5.60 lakh, as of Sunday. A circular on February 17, 2025, was issued to ban use of Cauvery water for cleaning, gardening,construction purposes and and other non-Drinking purposes in cinema halls and malls. Failure to adhere to this order attracts a fine of Rs 5000, and with an additional penalty of Rs 5,000 for repeat offenses, plus Rs 500 for each subsequent day of non-compliance.

With temperatures rising daily and groundwater levels depleting due to insufficient rainfall, the city faces a potential water shortage. A report by scholars from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) further highlighted the risks of groundwater depletion, prompting the Board to take strict action. Officials have identified and penalized 112 violations. The South Zone recorded the highest number of cases at 33, followed by the West Zone and East Zone with 28 cases each, and the North Zone with 23 cases.

Fines have been imposed, and steps are being taken to recover the penalties from offenders. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar also announced that the fine campaign would be expanded in the coming days to further deter water misuse.