Tech suburbs among Bengaluru areas to get water supply under Cauvery 5th Stage

Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board ( BWSSB) will give four lakh new drinking water connections including in the densely populated technology suburbs of Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli in the coming months with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar formally dedicating the Cauvery 5th stage water supply scheme.

The Chief Minister said he has already asked the BWSSB to take up the Cauvery sixth stage to bring more Bengaluru areas under the drinking water project.

The BWSSB has implemented the project with Rs 4336 crore assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in the presence of Hokugo Kyoko, Minister (Economic), Embassy of Japan in India and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India.

This marks a significant milestone in JICA and BWSSB’s 30-year partnership aimed at enhancing water supply and sewerage services for about 8.5 million residents in the rapidly growing Bengaluru metropolitan area, JICA said in a statement.

The Cauvery fifth stage will benefit 110 villages in Bengaluru’s civic body BBMP’s under the jurisdiction of Yelahanka, Yeshwantpura, Bangalore South, Byatarayanapura, T. Dasarahalli, Mahadevapura, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bommanahalli zones.

BWSSB has currently provided 10.64 drinking water connections and the fifth stage will help give four lakh more connections. The new project will increase the drinking water supply in Bengaluru from the current 1.58 tmc ft to 2.4 tmc ft.

“This project will act as a catalyst for realizing sustainable economic growth and development of Karnataka as well as quality life of the people of Karnataka. I am honoured that this water supply project is not a project alone but also symbolises the deep and mutual respect between Japan and India,” Hokugo Kyoka said.

Over the past 30 years, JICA has extended loans of about Rs 10,000 crore to the BWSSB with engagements of various Japanese companies, marking one of JICA’s largest investments in the water supply facilities of a single city, Takuro said.

Looking ahead, JICA anticipates the full opening of the project and the inauguration of wastewater treatment facilities, which will further enhance the city’s resilience and sustainability, he added.