Pramesh S Jain
-New tariff will be notified on April 10.
-Domestic users:Hike ranges from 0.15 paise to 1 paise per litre.
-High-rise domestic users:Hike ranges from 0.30 paise to 1 paise per litre.
– Non-domestic users:Hike ranges from 0.90 paise to 1.90 paise per litre.
Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to revise water tariffs with the intent of ensuring financial sustainability while minimizing the burden on the common citizen.
An official order notifying the new rates will be issued on April 10,said BWSSB Chairman Dr.Ram Prasath Manohar.
Speaking to the media at the BWSSB headquarters,Dr. Manohar noted that Bengaluru has witnessed rapid growth in both population and geographic spread over the past decade.
BWSSB,an autonomous body without government subsidies,relies heavily on water charges as its primary source of revenue.
Over the past 10 years,electricity costs have risen by 107%,while maintenance expenses have increased by 122.5%.
Despite a monthly expenditure of Rs.200 crore,the Board currently collects only Rs.120 crore, resulting in a monthly deficit of Rs.80 crore.
To bridge this financial gap and improve service delivery, a rational and modest tariff revision has been proposed.
Tariff Revision Highlights:
The revised tariffs aim to encourage water conservation and reuse while keeping affordability in mind,especially for economically weaker sections.
*Revised Water Tariffs :
*Domestic Usage:
-0–8,000 litres:Increase of 0.15 paise per litre
(e.g.,rate per 1,000 litres goes from Rs.7 to Rs. 8.50 only Rs.1.50)
-8,001–25,000 litres:Increase of 0.30 paise per litre
(e.g., rate per 1,000 litres goes from Rs.11 to Rs.14 only 3 rupees).
-25,001–50,000 litres: Increase of 0.80 paise per litre.
-50,001–1,00,000 litres:Increase of 1.00 paise per litre.
-Above 1,00,000 litres:Increase of 1.00 paise per litre
*High-Rise Domestic Buildings:
-0–2,00,000 litres:Increase of 0.30 paise per litre.
-2,00,001–5,00,000 litres:Increase of 0.60 paise per litre.
-5,00,001–10,00,000 litres:Increase of 1.00 paise per litre
*Non-Domestic Usage (including Industrial/Bulk supply):
-Flat hike of 0.90 paise per litre for bulk usage.
-0– 10,000 litres:Increase of 1.00 paise per litre.
-10,001–25,000 litres:Increase of 1.30 paise per litre.
-25,001–50,000 litres:Increase of 1.50 paise per litre.
-50,001–75,000 litres:Increase of 1.90 paise per litre.
-75,001–1,00,000 litres:Increase of 1.10 paise per litre.
-Above 1,00,000 litres:Increase of 1.20 paise per litre.
To ensure long-term sustainability,and following the recommendations of the Karnataka State Administrative Reforms Commission,BWSSB will adopt an annual 3% increase in water tariff starting April 1 every year.
“Our objective is to provide high-quality services without imposing undue financial strain on the middle-and lower-income groups.
At the same time,we must curb the misuse of treated water and promote responsible consumption,”said Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar.
