Bengaluru, home to Prestige Falcon City on Kanakapura Road, is experiencing a severe water shortage affecting its 2,500 luxury units. The citywide crisis has compelled residents to use disposable plates and visit nearby Forum Mall for bathroom access.
According to a Reddit user, ‘Familiar-Art-8675,’ who resides in Prestige Falcon City, there has been a lengthy disruption of more than a month in the regular water supply, leading to people vacating their homes or relocating temporarily. Some are resorting to disposable plates and ordering food to save water, while others queue at malls and gyms for basic hygienic needs. The irony of this situation is not lost on the residents, many of whom continue to pay substantial home loan EMIs without receiving basic amenities.
The Karnataka government has intervened by setting price limits on private water tanker services to prevent price gouging. However, the scarcity has led to water rationing measures such as bans on car washing and gardening, along with fines for excessive water use. The cost of water delivered by tankers has skyrocketed, compounding the difficulties for residents of gated communities.
Bengaluru’s water crisis is affecting not just households but the daily operations of businesses. Employees at companies like Dell report productivity losses due to the hunt for water supplies. Restaurants and larger companies like Microsoft and Walmart have adopted water conservation measures, such as using tap aerators and recycling washroom water, with some considering using disposable plates to cut down on water used for cleaning.
Even as summer begins, fears mount about the potential worsening of the situation. As the crisis hit the city’s supply chains, with water tank providers striking in response to government price regulation, the repercussions were felt from residential communities to the corridors of corporate offices and manufacturing plants. Hopes now ride on the impending monsoon to alleviate the city’s water woes, but until then, Bengaluru braces for a challenging season.