Bengaluru: On Thursday, the state capital of Karnataka is staring at an acute water crisis as the summer sets. Residents of multiple areas in Bengaluru, including Bellandur and Sarjapura claim that they have been receiving little or no water which has forced them to buy private water tankers at exorbitant prices.

It is to be noted that, local residents claimed that this situation has given rise to the water mafia in Bengaluru. In fact, some even claim that private water tankers are sourcing water from a local lake and selling it to housing societies and resident welfare associations (RWAs) at a price of their choosing.

also read Trinamool Congress heavyweight Arjun Singh joins BJP

An engineer with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) said that the water crisis is caused, in part, by power interferences. "The city of Bengaluru is located 3,000 feet above sea level and 1,500 feet above the Cauvery belt", he says. The engineer adds, "Water is pumped up to the city of Bengaluru via a 500 feet long pipeline and the same is being interrupted by power failures which have caused the water shortage."

However, residents of Bengaluru city are urging the state government or local authorities to cap the prices of private water tankers and empower citizens in the fight against the water mafia. "I am sure that Bengaluru will become the first zero-water city in India," says an aggrieved resident. However, no statement in this regard has been issued by the state government as of yet.

also read Another Setback to Congress, Senior party leader hurt by anti-national stand join BJP