The Karnataka government on Friday banned the non-essential use of drinking water amid an escalating water crisis in Bengaluru. This ban includes activities such as car washing, gardening, construction, maintenance, and recreational activities at cinema halls and malls. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board has initiated these measures to encourage judicious use of water.

Violators of these regulations will face a penalty of ₹ 5,000, with subsequent offenses incurring an additional fine of ₹ 500 each time.

This initiative follows the city administration”s recent implementation of price caps for water tankers, based on the quantity of water and delivery distance. Despite these efforts, Bengaluru continues to grapple with a severe water shortage exacerbated by depleted borewells and inadequate rainfall during the monsoon season.

The crisis has prompted apartment complexes and gated communities to implement their own water usage regulations, with reports emerging of dwindling water supplies prompting urgent action. The state government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has been actively seeking drought relief from the Centre and prioritizing water- projects to mitigate the crisis.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of Karnataka assured that the state is working on a war footing to tackle the crippling water crisis in Bengaluru. He revealed that over 3,000 borewells in the city have run dry, including the one at his own home. Shivakumar said that the government will prioritise water- projects over others and focus on irrigation.

However, the situation has also sparked political tensions, with clashes between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Tejasvi Surya, MP from Bengaluru South, has issued warnings of protests if the government fails to address the crisis promptly.

Bengaluru, with its massive population of 1.3 crore, faces a staggering shortfall of over 1,500 MLD in its daily water requirements. Other regions such as parts of Tumakuru and Uttara Kannada districts have been identified as vulnerable to water scarcity, exacerbating the statewide challenge.

Expecting a brutal summer this year, the government warns that 7,082 villages across Karnataka, along with 1,193 wards, including those in Bengaluru Urban district, are at risk of facing a drinking water crisis in the coming months.

The government is actively exploring solutions, including the use of recycled and treated water from residents” associations. Meanwhile, efforts to tackle illicit water tanker operations are underway, alongside initiatives to stabilize skyrocketing tanker costs through regulatory measures.