Fri May 09 16:49:06 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Launches “Cauvery on Wheels” to Combat Water Tanker Mafia

**Bengaluru, India (May 9, 2025)** – Bengaluru launched a new initiative, “Cauvery on Wheels,” on Friday aimed at curbing the city’s rampant water tanker mafia and providing affordable, safe drinking water to residents. The program, spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, utilizes 250 tankers to distribute Cauvery river water, certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). A dedicated app and website allow citizens to book water tankers, track deliveries, and lodge complaints. A 12,000-liter tanker costs ₹1,290 within a 2km radius, with additional charges per kilometer.

While hailed as a positive step, some residents criticize the initiative’s timing, noting its launch as the monsoon season approaches. BWSSB sources maintain that “Cauvery on Wheels” is a permanent program, not solely a summer measure. Meanwhile, private water tanker prices remain high, exceeding ₹1,700 per load in some areas due to dwindling groundwater levels and rising diesel costs.

In related news, the BWSSB also introduced “Sarala Cauvery,” offering payment plans for new water connections, particularly benefiting low-income families and apartment complexes. Furthermore, the state government announced a ₹100 crore allocation for “Cauvery Aarti,” a planned religious ceremony at Krishnaraja Sagar, a plan met with criticism from some quarters. The government also announced increased dam security and a ban on tourist visits for national security reasons. Finally, the Deputy Chief Minister defended a ₹1,900 crore project to replenish groundwater using treated water, dismissing opposition as not representative of farmers’ interests.

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