Latest news with #SanchariCauvery
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
BWSSB opens bulk booking for BIS-certified ‘Sanchari Cauvery' water for Bengaluru apartments
With numerous apartment complexes spread across the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), especially in the newer areas or on the outskirts, the growing demand for water has put immense strain on groundwater resources, especially due to extraction by private suppliers. To address this, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has now introduced bulk booking for its 'Sanchari Cauvery' water supply service. The Sanchari Cauvery initiative delivers Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certified drinking water to residential communities, including apartments and housing complexes. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar said the initiative has been started to reduce excessive dependence on groundwater and maintain water balance in the city How will the process work Booking will be on a first-come, first-served basis Minimum one month advance payment is mandatory System in place to ensure uninterrupted supply through bulk booking Option available to book for a duration of one year Highlighting the situation on the city's outskirts, Mr. Manohar noted that most apartments rely heavily on groundwater. 'People here are buying water through tankers to meet their drinking water needs. Tankers are also supplying water collected from borewells. This is increasing the pressure on groundwater. The BWSSB has taken the decision to reduce this and provide BIS-certified clean drinking water. From now on, apartments will be able to book the BWSSB's drinking water through tankers for their year-round water needs,' he said. According to the BWSSB, the booking system will operate on a first-come, first-served basis and can be accessed through the board's official website or designated contact points. Apartment associations are required to make an advance payment equivalent to at least one month's supply. Describing the project's scale and innovation, the BWSSB Chairman said, 'The Sanchari Cauvery project is India's first technologically advanced tanker project, which is providing essential water to the city through GPS tracking, supply stratification, and supply control centres.' He emphasised the board's long-term vision, stating, 'The BWSSB is transforming into a people's water board. Our aim is to ensure a secure water future for the next generation of Bengaluru. In this regard, this project has been extended to apartments as well with the aim of reducing dependence on groundwater.'
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board launches two schemes to improve water access, take on tanker mafia
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board launched two initiatives — Sanchari Cauvery and Sarala Cauvery — to expand access to piped water and regulate the city's exploitative water tanker Sarala Cauvery scheme, apartment complexes can pay 20% of water connection charges upfront, with the remaining 80% will be payable in instalments over one-year period. For small homes measuring up to 600 square feet, a nominal fee of Rs 1,000 will be charged for providing water connection, making it easier for low-income households to access piped the growing issue of private water tanker operators charging exorbitant rates — from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 per load — the govt launched Sanchari Cauvery (mobile Cauvery) service to supply clean water at fixed and affordable prices through BWSSB-operated tankers. The pricing structure under the new initiative has been set at Rs 660 for 4,000 litres, Rs 700 for 5,000 litres, Rs 740 for 6,000 litres and Rs 1,290 for 12,000 the first phase, 250 branded tankers have been deployed. They will deliver water within 24 hours of booking, marking a major step in addressing the city's water chief minister DK Shivakumar said, "BWSSB has been incurring losses for years and did not revise water rates since 2014. Following the tariff revision, several banks expressed interest in providing financial support to the board." Citing earlier attempts made during JH Patel's tenure to privatise the board, he said the govt decided to retain control of utilities like water and electricity and instituted a rule that only IAS officers should head recordsShivakumar unveiled plans to deliver property records directly to homeowners, much like water connections. As part of this initiative, errors in property records will be rectified and documents delivered without the need to pay bribes to middlemen. Through Nambike Naksha scheme, citizens can obtain engineer-approved building plans without visiting BBMP offices. A related convention will be held within 15 days.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Belagavi gets its own Vande Bharat Express from Bengaluru; Not an extension of Dharwad route
In a major boost to rail connectivity between north Karnataka and Bengaluru, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved the launch of a new Vande Bharat Express between Belagavi and Bengaluru. Dispelling earlier speculation, the new train will not be an extension of the existing Bengaluru–Hubballi–Dharwad Vande Bharat service. Also Read - What is 'Sanchari Cauvery'? Bengaluru's new government-run water tanker service explained Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar confirmed the development, highlighting that the demand for a high-speed rail link from Belagavi to the state capital has finally been addressed. For months, there were reports suggesting that the existing Vande Bharat running between Bengaluru and Dharwad might be extended to Belagavi. However, due to concerns over inconvenient timings, a dedicated train was sanctioned instead. Taking to social media platform X, Shettar shared the update, calling it a "matter of great joy" and noting that Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V. Somanna were actively involved in pushing for this proposal through multiple rounds of discussions with the Railway Ministry. According to the tentative schedule, the train will start from Belagavi early in the morning and reach Bengaluru by midday. It will then depart from Bengaluru in the afternoon and return to Belagavi by night — a timetable expected to benefit daily commuters, students, professionals, and business travellers. The excat timings are yet to be announced. Also Read - Indian armed forces capable of giving fitting reply to Pakistan: DK Shivakumar This marks the 11th Vande Bharat Express to operate in Karnataka, and with this addition, Bengaluru will now be connected by Vande Bharat services to seven major cities: Mysuru, Chennai, Ernakulam, Hyderabad, Dharwad, Coimbatore, and Belagavi. The move is expected to significantly reduce travel time and enhance comfort for passengers commuting between north Karnataka and the state's capital.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is ‘Sanchari Cauvery'? Bengaluru's new government-run water tanker service explained
In a bid to rein in skyrocketing water prices and tackle the city's long-standing dependence on private water suppliers, the Karnataka government has launched 'Sanchari Cauvery', a state-operated water tanker service aimed at delivering clean, affordable drinking water directly to residents. Launched on Friday by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha, the initiative promises to undercut what he termed the 'tanker mafia', private operators who, according to the minister, charge up to ₹3,000 for a single tanker using water drawn from over 3,000 unregulated borewells. (Also Read: Indian armed forces capable of giving fitting reply to Pakistan: DK Shivakumar) 'With 'Sanchari Cauvery', we are supplying BWSSB-certified Cauvery water at reasonable prices, ₹660 for 4,000 litres and ₹740 for 6,000 litres, to ensure people don't fall prey to exploitation,' Shivakumar said, as quoted in a press note issued by his office. The new service is operated through GPS-tracked tankers, and bookings can be made via the official app Kaveri on Wheels, available on the Google Play Store. The water supplied is BIS-certified and comes with a government guarantee of quality, a key differentiator from many private suppliers whose sources are often unknown. Describing the scheme as a first-of-its-kind in the city, Shivakumar said this doorstep delivery model was conceptualised to bridge gaps in Bengaluru's formal water supply infrastructure, especially in newly developed or water-stressed areas. In addition to the new delivery scheme, the minister said the state had also laid the foundation for a ₹1,900 crore project near Nelamangala to treat Vrishabhavathi river water and use it to replenish tanks in rural parts of Bengaluru. He added that the government is working on Cauvery Stage VI, with several banks reportedly showing interest in financing the next phase. To further ease access, the BWSSB will now charge just ₹1,000 as a deposit for new water connections in smaller homes. For apartments, owners will be allowed to pay the connection fee in instalments, 20 per cent upfront and the rest within a year. Shivakumar also addressed security concerns in the backdrop of regional tensions, stating that tightened measures were in place at reservoirs and tourists would be restricted from accessing dam sites. 'Public cooperation is key during this time. We are ensuring water reaches homes safely and affordably, without handing control to private entities,' he said, referring to past proposals to privatise water supply that were eventually shelved. (Also Read: Bengaluru Police geo-tag over 5.35 lakh CCTV cameras to boost crime detection: Report)
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Sanchari Cauvery scheme to counter tanker mafia: DKS
Bengaluru; Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said that the government has introduced 'Sanchari Cauvery' to counter water tanker mafia and provide drinking water to the public at a reasonable price. Speaking at an event to flag off 'Sanchari Cauvery' scheme at Vidhana Soudha, he said, 'The tanker mafia has about 3000 borewells and it is fleecing the customers by charging exorbitant Rs 3,000 per tanker. We have launched the scheme to provide BWSSB water at a very reasonable price to take on the water tanker mafia. A 4000-liter tanker is priced at Rs 660 and 6000-liter tanker at Rs 740. 'Sanchari Cauvery is the first of its kind initiative where Cauvery water will be delivered to the doorstep of citizens in Bengaluru. Yesterday, we laid the foundation stone for a project near Nelamangala to at a cost of Rs 1900 crore to process Vrishabhavathi water and supply it to tanks in Bengaluru rural,' he informed. 'Besides this, we are also taking measures to recharge ground water in Bengaluru. We have also decided to charge only Rs 1000 as deposit for new Cauvery water connection for smaller homes. For apartment owners, we have decided to charge 20% initially and provide one year to pay the balance amount,' he added.
