Are Bengaluru's Real Estate Growth and Acute Water Shortage Two Sides of The Same Coin?

Bengaluru is facing a severe water crisis, particularly in the newly developed neighborhoods around IT hubs such as Whitefield and Sarjapura. With the approach of summer, the city is struggling with a significant water shortage. This has led residents, especially those in high-rise buildings, to desperately search for water sources. The problem is further compounded by dried-up wells and overtaxed water tanker services.

The Price of Development

Despite rising property values, the city's rapid development and infrastructure expansion have exacerbated the water scarcity, according to experts. Homeowners, even in upscale communities, find themselves restricted to limited water availability daily. In high-end residential complexes, such as Mantri Espana, the housing association has reported a distressing absence of water supply lasting over 30 hours.

A Disheartening Investment

A technology professional from Kerala, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed regret over investing in Bengaluru's real estate, noting that only property prices have surged, with no improvement in living conditions.

Water Supply Discrepancy

Bengaluru's reliance on the Cauvery River for its piped water supply is inadequate, with the city receiving 1,450 million litres daily but needing 1,680 million litres. Raj Bhagat, an environmental conservation specialist, pointed out that although the city's reservoirs near rivers like the Cauvery and Dakshina Pinakini had good rainfall in recent years, this year's low rainfall has significantly impacted urban water reserves.

Urban Expansion vs. Water Availability

The city's exponential growth has upset the balance between water consumption and availability. In 2007, the incorporation of 110 villages into Bengaluru's municipal area lacked sufficient water management planning, leading to a decline in groundwater levels.

The IT Corridor

The crisis predominantly affects the burgeoning or newly developed sectors near the IT corridor, including Whitefield and Sarjapura. Vishwanath Srikantaiah, a water conservation advocate, noted that while older regions like Jayanagar maintain adequate groundwater, the newer urban areas are severely affected.

Infrastructure and Dependency

Piped water is limited to certain parts of Bengaluru, and areas integrated into the city in 2007 are still without it, relying mainly on depleting borewells and water tankers. Srinivas Alavilli, a civic participation leader, highlighted that the thriving IT corridors depend entirely on groundwater, exacerbating the water crisis.

A Glimmer of Hope

Srikantaiah optimistically noted that the Cauvery River could sustain Bengaluru's water needs until the next monsoon, provided waste water treatment is efficiently managed.

The Planning Issue

The unchecked exploitation of groundwater, driven by real estate development, was criticized by Dr. A Ravindra, former head of the Bangalore Development Authority. He warned of the gradual transformation of green and agricultural lands into real estate developments, which lack necessary water resource regulations.

The crisis is not only due to climate change or hot weather but also stems from inadequate civic planning. Effective water management requires collaboration among various governmental bodies, a practice currently lacking in Bengaluru.

Pollution and Its Impact

Additionally, the city's lake pollution has severely reduced groundwater and borewell capacities. Dr. TV Ramachandra, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Science, emphasized Bengaluru's heavy dependence on groundwater, worsened by uncontrolled urban development and poor water management.=

Conclusion

Over the past forty years, Bengaluru has seen significant urbanization and loss of water bodies, leading to a critical need for sustainable urban planning and water management strategies to alleviate the water crisis.