Tech capital Bengaluru launches four apps to tackle water crisis

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on March 14 launched the 'Save Blue and Live Green' campaign at Vidhana Soudha.

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on March 14 launched four mobile-responsive web applications on March 13 to tackle the water crisis in the city.

The four apps are Jalamithra, Parisara Jalasnehi, Andar Jala, and Samrakshaka.

The BWSSB's Jalamithra  web app will facilitate citizens, retired technical staff, and NGOs willing to volunteer for water leakage detection, surveys, and conservation efforts to work with the water board. "Jalamithra is a voluntary service open to individuals from government, semi-government, or private sectors. Participants are required to dedicate four days a month to this service. Interested applicants must apply through the BWSSB website. Applications will be reviewed, and participants will be selected. There are no monetary benefits associated with this service," said a senior BWSSB official. "The will help establish a bridge between BWSSB and the community," he said.

Also, read: First floods, now dry days: Decoding tech hub Bengaluru’s water woes

Parisara Jalasnehi app will help citizens book treated water online for non-potable purposes, including domestic, commercial, and industrial uses.

Andar Jala allows citizens to apply for borewell permissions and get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from BWSSB. "Citizens can submit applications for digging/drilling wells/borewells for drinking/domestic purposes. A technical committee will review and approve the application" an official said.

Samrakshaka aims to penalise violators for misusing water by using potable water for non-essential purposes. Offenders will be fined on the spot.
"Samrakshaka will be used by BWSSB staff to levy spot penalties from March 16 for instances of water misuse." said BWSSB chairman Dr V Ram Prasath Manohar.

BWSSB recently prohibited the use of potable water for non-essential purposes. According to a BWSSB order dated March 7, activities like cleaning vehicles, gardening, fountain operation, building and road construction, and maintenance must not use drinking water.

Malls and theatres are permitted to use water solely for drinking purposes. BWSSB will levy a penalty of Rs 5,000 for the first offense, with repeated offenses incurring an additional penalty of Rs 500 per day. For further details, people can contact 1916.

Also, read: Amid crisis, Bengaluru bans potable water usage for car washing, gardening; imposes Rs 5,000 fine

Meanwhile, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on March 14 launched BWSSB's 'Neeru Ulisi, Bengaluru Belasi' (save water, nurture Bengaluru)' campaign at Vidhana Soudha. The initiative aims to promote water conservation.  He also flagged off e-rickshaw vehicles carrying water conservation messages, including eight ways to save water, to spread awareness throughout Bengaluru.

"With Bengaluru facing a rainfall deficit this year, 6,900 out of 13,900 bore wells have dried up. Therefore, there is a critical need to raise awareness about the prudent use of water," said Shivakumar.

Also, read: MC Interview: Bengaluru water board chief assures there’s enough drinking water to last till monsoon; says misinformation campaign is on to defame city