A ₹200-Crore Fix: Bengaluru's Plan to Stop Water Leaks

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to launch a major infrastructure upgrade, aiming to replace nearly 200 km of aging cast-iron pipelines—some over 40 years old—across Bengaluru. The initiative is part of a broader effort to curb water leakages and reduce Unaccounted-for Water (UfW) levels to below 10%.

Currently, the city loses around 28% of its water supply due to leakages and illegal connections. While BWSSB has already disconnected over 40,000 unauthorized connections, officials emphasize that pipeline replacement is crucial to address systemic water losses.

The ₹200 crore project will be rolled out in phases, focusing initially on core city areas such as Shivajinagar, Byatarayanapura, CV Raman Nagar, and Chamarajpet. BWSSB Chairman Dr. Ramprasat Manohar V noted, “Many of these cast-iron pipelines were laid decades ago. Leakages are inevitable, so we’re taking proactive steps to replace them entirely.”

A previous initiative in 2018–19, which replaced 680 km of old pipelines, proved financially viable, with costs recovered within three years. Despite strong public support, citizens have raised concerns about road safety and disruptions during the monsoon, urging BWSSB to minimize inconvenience during implementation.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.