Karnataka's Water Tariff Hike: A Necessity Forced By Freebies & Empty Coffers

In a significant announcement, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has announced that the state will implement a water tariff hike due to the mounting financial losses faced by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). This marks the first increase in water tariffs since 2014, with BWSSB incurring annual losses of ₹1,000 crore and monthly losses of ₹85 crore. According to the state government, rising operational costs, particularly electricity expenses that have surged from ₹35 crore to ₹75 crore, have made this hike unavoidable. The Siddaramaiah government meanwhile plans to regularize illegal connections and expedite water supply connections under the Cauvery Stage 5 project to address last summer's severe water crisis.