 "Residents arrive to get their containers filled with drinking water from a water tanker supplied by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP) in a neighbourhood that is facing severe water scarcity, in Bengaluru. REUTERS")
Authorities in Bengaluru have tightened the noose and intensified vigil against those wasting as well as trading water amid a shortage. In the latest, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has booked the driver of a private tanker for allegedly selling water to a commercial establishment.
In another incident, 22 families were fined Rs 1.1 lakh (Rs 5,000 each) for using potable water for non-essential purposes.
Private tanker driver arrested in Bengaluru
According to a report by Indian Express, BWSSB filed a complaint against Sunil, driver of a private water tanker, at the Bagalagunte police station, saying he was supposed to supply water to ward 130, facing an acute water shortage, but he sold it for commercial purposes to an establishment in Ward 14.
All private tanker owners in Bengaluru have been warned of serious action if they are found misusing water for other purposes, BWSSB chairman Ramprasath Manohar said.
22 families in Bengaluru fined Rs 1.1 lakh
The BWSSB has collected a Rs 1.1 lakh fine from 22 families flouting its order and using portable water for washing cars, gardening and other non-essential purposes amid a shortage of water, which has hit hard in some parts of the IT hub of India.
Most of these violators were from the southeastern division, the data shared by the board showed. At least 12 such complaints were received from the particular division and a total of Rs 60,000 was collected as a fine from these violators.
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View AllSimilarly, a Rs 15,000 fine was collected from the East division while another Rs 15,000 cash was collected from the Southwestern division among others.
About a couple of weeks ago, the people of Bengaluru were urged to use water judiciously and immediately inform the BWSSB’s call centre 1916 if anyone was found violating the prohibitory order.
In the order issued by the BWSSB on March 7, people of the city were ordered not to use potable water in the city of Bengaluru for cleaning vehicles, construction of buildings and roads, for entertainment purposes or decorations like fountains.
‘’In case of violation of the order, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be applicable for the first time offence and recurrence of this violation will result in a fine of Rs 5,000 with an additional penalty of Rs 500 per day,’‘ it stated.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, last week, said Bengaluru is faced with a water shortage of 500 million litres per day (MLD).
With inputs from agencies