A water crisis is gripping Peenya, leaving migrant workers struggling for access to drinking water. Formerly supplied with Cauvery water every alternate day, the area now receives drinking water only twice a month, despite BWSSB’s claims of alternative-day supply. Industrialists are perplexed by the lack of borewells in an area housing around 16,000 industries.
Shivakumar R, president-elect of Peenya Industries Association (PIA), lamented the challenges faced by workers. Previously, water was supplied every alternate day, enabling storage and usage. Now, with water supplied only twice a month, migrants face dire circumstances. Where do they turn? How can they afford tanker water? How long can they endure this? he questioned.
Shivakumar highlighted the urgent need for government intervention, urging BBMP to provide full subsidies for rainwater harvesting. He also highlighted the absence of boundaries around lakes, leading to water wastage despite repeated reminders to authorities.
The crisis threatens the livelihoods of over 12 lakh workers, primarily employed in electronics, automobiles, packaging, garments, lubricants, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical sectors. Both industries and workers are grappling with insufficient water supply.
BWSSB has reduced supply to commercial and industrial sectors to prioritize residential areas. This move, if sustained, is feared to escalate production costs.
Drinking water is crucial, particularly for laborers toiling in humid conditions, remarked Jameel, a packaging industry owner.
Saleem, from Kalaburagi, highlighted the garment sector’s dependence on water for processing. Despite government proposals for recycled water, bureaucratic delays threaten timely implementation, affecting industries reliant on water.
BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar said that, we are providing drinking water every alternative day,” he affirmed, despite conflicting reports from the ground.
