Only 1 in 5 Bengaluru homes adopt rainwater harvesting

21 Mar 2024 CW Team

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) believes that if everyone in Bengaluru had opted for rainwater harvesting (RWH), the water situation in the city wouldn't be as dire as it is now, with only about 0.2 million out of 1.08 million homes having installed RWH systems.

BWSSB has imposed penalties totalling nearly Rs 20 million on 40,000 households for not installing RWH systems, hoping that might encourage people to embrace the sustainable solution. The West zone, encompassing areas like Nagarbhavi, RPC Layout, Vijayanagar, and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, tops the list with 12,796 non-compliant homes, facing penalties of up to Rs 5.1 million. The East zone follows closely with 11,475 violations, but higher penalties totalling Rs 5.9 have been imposed.

According to Suresh B, the engineer-in-chief of BWSSB, RWH has been mandatory for houses built on plots larger than 60x40ft since December 2011. In 2020, it was also made mandatory for houses on plots measuring 30x40ft, with penalties for violations.

For domestic connections, BWSSB imposes a 50% penalty on water consumption bills for the first three months and 100% thereafter. For commercial connections, the penalty is 100% for three months and 200% afterwards.

Arun Bala Rao, residing in Jayanagar, mentioned that his house has benefited from RWH, leading to reduced water shortage. Sheela Nagarajun from Rajarajeshwari Nagar also stated that they use harvested rainwater for various household purposes.

However, despite the benefits, many residents consider RWH as an expense rather than a long-term investment. This perception contributes to lower adoption rates, particularly among households with smaller dimensions facing acute water shortages.

Infrastructure Transport

16 Sep 2025

Metro Line 2B Phase 1 to Boost Realty in Mumbai’s Eastern Suburbs

Mumbai’s real estate sector is set for a major boost as Phase 1 of Metro Line 2B, between Mandale and Diamond Garden, nears completion. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has confirmed that mandatory rectifications are done, and inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) have been carried out. The 5.39-km stretch with five stations forms part of the larger DN Nagar–Mandale corridor, designed to ease congestion and improve east–west connectivity. Passenger operations are expected by December 2025, with the full line slated for 2027. ..

WattPower wins Best Inverter award at Global Solar Expo 2025

WattPower, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, has won the award for “Best Inverter in the Utility Segment” at the Global Solar Expo 2025. The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance and future-ready solar solutions for large-scale projects. At the forefront of utility-scale solar, WattPower manufactures advanced string inverters that directly feed power into the Indian grid. With robust technology, high-quality components and comprehensive product lifecycle support, its solutions stand among the most sophisticated in the ..

Awfis delivers 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub for eBay in Bengaluru

Awfis Space Solutions, India’s largest flexible workspace provider and the first publicly listed workspace solutions platform, has partnered with eBay to establish a 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub at Embassy Tech Village, Bengaluru. The mandate covers design, build and management of the new office, which will act as a strategic hub supporting diverse functions and accelerating eBay’s AI-first commerce strategy. The centre will focus on artificial intelligence, engineering, product development and applied research, strengthening eBay’s growth in India. Embassy Tech Village, North Beng..