BWSSB water supply restored

While the specific details of the BWSSB water supply restoration event are not provided, the mention of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and water supply issues immediately brings to focus one of India's most pressing urban challenges: water management. Bengaluru, a major metropolitan and IT hub, serves as a microcosm for the broader struggles faced by Indian cities in ensuring equitable and sustainable access to water for its rapidly growing population. Understanding the context surrounding such an event is crucial for competitive exam aspirants, as it touches upon governance, urban planning, environmental sustainability, and federal relations.

Bengaluru's water woes are deeply rooted in its geography, rapid urbanization, and historical planning. The city primarily relies on the Cauvery River, located approximately 100 km away, for over 80% of its water supply. This dependence necessitates extensive pumping infrastructure, making water supply energy-intensive and costly. The remaining demand is met through groundwater, which has been severely over-exploited, leading to declining water tables and quality degradation. The city’s population has exploded from around 5.4 million in 2001 to over 13 million today, putting immense pressure on existing infrastructure and finite resources. Water supply disruptions, therefore, are not isolated incidents but symptoms of systemic stress, often caused by aging pipelines, power outages affecting pumping stations, maintenance work, or seasonal water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.

Key stakeholders in such a scenario include the BWSSB itself, which is the primary body responsible for planning, executing, operating, and maintaining water supply and sewerage systems in Bengaluru. Their role is critical, encompassing everything from sourcing and treatment to distribution and billing. The Karnataka State Government, particularly the Urban Development Department and Water Resources Department, plays a supervisory and policy-making role, allocating funds and formulating long-term strategies. The Central Government, through initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban), provides financial and technical assistance, pushing for universal access to potable water. Citizens, both domestic and industrial consumers, are also major stakeholders, directly affected by disruptions and playing a role in conservation and responsible usage. Farmers in the Cauvery basin, both upstream and downstream, also form a critical stakeholder group due to inter-state water sharing arrangements.

This issue matters significantly for India due to several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the challenges of urban governance and infrastructure development. Many Indian cities face similar, if not worse, water crises, impacting public health, economic productivity, and social equity. Reliable water supply is fundamental to a city's economic vitality; industries, especially in the IT and manufacturing sectors, depend heavily on consistent water access. Disruptions can lead to significant economic losses. Socially, water scarcity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, who often pay more for water from private suppliers or spend hours fetching it. Environmentally, the over-extraction of groundwater and pollution of existing water bodies pose serious long-term threats to ecological balance and future water security.

Historically, urban water management in India has struggled to keep pace with population growth and industrialization. Post-independence, while significant strides were made in expanding access, the focus often remained on supply augmentation rather than demand management, conservation, or efficient distribution. The legal and constitutional framework for water in India is complex. Water is primarily a State subject under **Entry 17 of the State List** (Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution, which covers "water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power." This gives states primary responsibility but also leads to inter-state disputes, as seen with the Cauvery River dispute involving Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Furthermore, **Article 243W** grants powers and responsibilities to Municipalities regarding urban planning, including provisions for water supply. The Supreme Court has also interpreted the **Right to Life (Article 21)** to include the right to a clean environment and access to potable water, making it a fundamental right.

Future implications point towards an urgent need for sustainable water management strategies. This includes adopting a holistic approach encompassing rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling (as mandated by policies like the National Water Policy 2012), rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, demand-side management, and upgrading aging infrastructure to reduce leakages (Non-Revenue Water). Climate change projections indicate increased variability in rainfall, making water security even more precarious. Therefore, robust policy frameworks, inter-state cooperation, technological innovation (like smart water grids), and community participation are essential to ensure water resilience for cities like Bengaluru and for India as a whole. The success of initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) will be critical in shaping the future of urban water supply in the country.