Karnataka hires consultant to prepare DPR for Rs 2,000 crore Cauvery water project for industries in Bengaluru

In October, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the fifth phase of the Cauvery project to supply drinking water to 110 villages at Thorekadanahalli in Malavalli taluk.

The Karnataka government has hired a consultant to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Rs 2,000-crore Cauvery water supply project to industrial areas in and around Bengaluru.

Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) sources told Moneycontrol that Bengaluru-based RootDesign Engineers & Technocrats Pvt Ltd has been entrusted with the task at a cost of Rs 4.9 crore.

A KIADB source said that manufacturing industries require a significant amount of water. "Groundwater is depleting in and around Bengaluru. Chip manufacturing, food processing, and other industries need substantial water resources. If we don't provide water, manufacturing industries will not set up here, which will, in turn, affect job creation."

The industrial area in and around Bengaluru spans 55,000 acres, with 20,000 acres located within the Cauvery basin and the remaining 35,000 acres outside the basin.

Also, read: Karnataka to avail Rs 5,000 crore loan to facilitate water supply and infrastructure in industrial areas

KIADB officials said that the consultant will carry out an economic analysis, survey, planning, design, cost estimation, and other technical assessments to implement the water supply scheme for industrial areas—both existing and proposed—within and outside the Cauvery basin around Bengaluru.

"This project will primarily benefit 37 industrial areas, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, and Chikkaballapur. So far, these areas have been relying on treated water or borewell/groundwater. The proposed supply can be used for both industrial and drinking purposes," KIADB Chief Executive Officer Mahesh M told Moneycontrol.

On September 5, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil said that the state government plans to secure a Rs 5,000-crore loan to develop new industrial areas and enhance infrastructure, including a dedicated water supply system.

"The dedicated water supply plan will require around Rs 2,000 crore, while the remaining Rs 3,000 crore will be allocated for infrastructure development and land acquisition for new industrial areas," the minister said.

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Officials said that many industries in these areas rely on groundwater, which is rapidly depleting. "It is the government’s responsibility to ensure adequate and reliable water supply to industries. While some industries fall within the Cauvery basin, many others are located outside it, where there are no dependable water sources," an official explained.

The consultant is tasked with planning, engineering, and conducting an economic feasibility analysis, as well as field investigations. This includes preparing a detailed timetable for the technical and financial implementation of the project.

The consultant will also conduct reconnaissance, topographical, soil, and material surveys, as well as other necessary field and laboratory investigations, to determine a viable alignment for the pipeline from the Cauvery river to the industrial areas.

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“All physical surveys will be conducted along the proposed pipeline alignment. The consultant will gather relevant data, including topographical maps and reservoir water availability, to finalise the design,” officials said.

Additional tasks include documenting water tables, trees, land use, utilities, and existing infrastructure. Soil tests will be conducted every 500 meters to assess quality. The consultant will analyse the collected data to design the pipeline, associated structures, and GIS-based mapping using tools. The final DPR will include detailed designs, cost estimates, and tender documents required for implementing the scheme.

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According to a report by Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods (WELL) Labs associated with IFMR-Krea University, "In addition to the 1,460 MLD of Cauvery water, Bengaluru currently consumes an estimated 1,372 MLD of groundwater." The current demand is 2,632 MLD, with the main consumers being residents (72 percent), commercial establishments (8 percent), the industrial sector (17 percent), and the construction sector (2-3 percent).

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had earlier proposed supplying treated water to industries through separate pipelines. As part of this plan, the BWSSB had envisioned a dedicated pipeline to deliver treated water to the Peenya Industrial Area, which houses over 15,000 manufacturing units.

Also, read: Bengaluru water board plans dedicated pipeline to supply treated water to industries