BWSSB seeks hike in water tariff

Bangalore:

Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has urged the government to consider its proposal to revise water tariffs, which has not been raised in the last eight years, as it was incurring losses. The water supplier pointed out that due to the recent revision of power changes by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), BWSSB now owes Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) Rs 65.09 crore, and if it fails to pay the amount within seven days, the power supply will be cut off.

Bescom has written letters to government departments to pay their dues respectively to avoid discontinuity of power supply services. BWSSB Chief Engineer Suresh B said that about 60 per cent of revenue earned is spent on paying the power bill and the remaining amount is barely sufficient for carrying out maintenance and other critical works.

He also said that a new proposal has been submitted to the government to revise the tariffs. BWSSB also pointed out that departments run by central and state governments have failed to pay their dues, which run into crores or rupees and are draining the board’s finances. BWSSB uses a large amount of power to pump water from one place site to another and the cutting of power supply could lead to water shortage in the city