Water crisis in Bengaluru: By March 7, all water tankers must register with BBMP; Govt to determine maximum price soon

In response to concerns raised by residents about water tanker costs in the city surpassing ₹2,000, the State government has mandated that vehicles self-register by March 7 in an effort to start regulating the sector.

A senior official of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) stated on Wednesday (February 28) that the government will also set prices for tanker loads after meetings with various stakeholders over the course of the next two days. They have decided to regulate the industry following several complaints of water tanker prices skyrocketing over the last 15 days.

Water tankers supply 25% of the city’s water needs, according to Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who recently stated in the Assembly that the government was considering setting a maximum price for water tankers.

The BBMP official went on to state that since operating a water tanker business is not considered a trade, tankers are not registered with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) or the BBMP. However, information from the Transport Department indicates that the city is home to more than 3500 water tankers. They are in the process of creating an online platform that will launch on March 1. By March 7, all water tankers must self-register on this platform. After that date, the civic organization will seize all unregistered water tankers and use them to provide 110 villages with free water to dry areas.

According to the senior official, the BBMP is contacting all water tanker operators and will consult with them regarding the price-fixing mechanism over the course of the next two days. They wish them to avoid suffering losses. However, the pricing has been extremely predatory in some areas. While they are computing their costs using market intelligence, they will also request that they submit their costs. They will determine a maximum price range for water supplied by tankers in the city based on both inputs. Any departure from this will result in consequences.

Contrary to popular belief, according to a water tanker businessman, they are not making money out of the blue. The cost of extracting water has increased multiple times, and they are traveling fifty kilometers in each direction to deliver a tanker of water. It is incorrect to label them as a mafia and attempt to place the blame elsewhere for the government’s inability to provide them with infrastructure for a water supply.