Even 17 months after the commissioning of the Cauvery fifth stage project, several villages on the outskirts of Bengaluru continue to face delays in receiving drinking water, raising concerns ahead of the summer season.
While Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar informed the Assembly that water supply has reached 100 of the 110 targeted villages, residents and civic activists contest this claim.
According to activists, essential works such as pipeline laying, testing and underground sewer connections remain incomplete in many areas, delaying actual water supply.
In the Mahadevapura zone, areas including Varthur, Balagere, Sorahunase, Gunjur and Panathur are yet to receive regular supply. Similarly, villages in the Byatarayanapura zone—such as Kattigenahalli, Srinivasapura, Bellahalli, Thirumenahalli and Chokkanahalli—are also facing delays.
Civic activist Jagadisha Reddy stated that the government's claims do not reflect the situation on the ground, with several infrastructure components still pending.
In the absence of Cauvery water, residents are heavily dependent on borewells and private tankers. Tanker costs have surged, with residents paying over ₹1,500 for 6,000 litres, while some rely on 'Sanchari Cauvery' water supply at ₹1,300 for 12,000 litres.
With each individual requiring around 100 litres of water daily, families are forced to spend up to ₹10,000 per month during peak summer, adding financial strain.
Officials cited infrastructure works as a key reason for delays. In Mahadevapura, elevated corridor construction and road widening projects have hindered pipeline work.
In Byatarayanapura, while pipelines have been laid, supply is pending completion of a ground-level reservoir (GLR) at Chokkanahalli. Authorities said legal issues over land for the reservoir have now been resolved and construction is underway.
The BWSSB has set up Cauvery Connection Centres in the affected villages to facilitate connections. However, some residents remain hesitant due to the high cost of obtaining connections.
The delay has intensified concerns among residents, especially with rising temperatures and increasing water demand. The situation highlights the urgent need for timely completion of infrastructure projects to ensure equitable water access across Bengaluru's expanding outskirts.