Bengaluru: Allegations of “silent” and repeated water tariff hikes by Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board have triggered a political row in the city, with BJP accusing the utility of increasing rates without public notice over the past two years.According to the allegations, BWSSB has been revising water tariffs every three months — amounting to four hikes annually — without issuing prior public announcements or notifications to consumers. The cumulative effect of these revisions is estimated at around 12% annually, placing an additional burden on already strained household budgets.Bengaluru South BJP district president NR Ramesh has termed the move “anti-people” and has written an open letter to the chief minister Siddaramaiah and BWSSB leadership, demanding transparency and accountability in tariff revisions. BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar defended the tariff revisions, stating they are carried out in accordance with established regulatory mechanisms. “Tariff adjustments, if any, are based on operational costs, infrastructure requirements, and long-term sustainability of water supply services. BWSSB follows due process, and there is no intent to impose any hidden burden on citizens,” Manohar said.He added periodic revisions are essential to maintain and upgrade Bengaluru’s water infrastructure, especially in the face of growing urban demand and rising input costs.However, residents and opposition leaders argue even if revisions are justified, the lack of public communication undermines transparency and trust. Ramesh Kumar, a resident of BTM Layout, said, “We were never informed about these repeated hikes. Every few months, the bill just keeps increasing, and there’s no clarity from BWSSB.” Kavya N, a resident of Yelahanka, added, “Water is a basic necessity. Frequent tariff hikes without public consultation are unfair, especially when supply issues still persist in many areas.” They have called for mandatory public notices and greater disclosure before implementing any future tariff changes.
