Residents relying on the city’s 1052 drinking water plants for affordable clean water are facing increased costs, as rates have been raised from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per 20 liters. Initially, users could obtain the same quantity with just one Rs 5 coin, but now they must use two, due to rising electricity and maintenance expenses.
The hike, affecting areas like Kumaraswamy Layout, Mariappana Palya, RR Nagar, Kottigepalya, Nagasandra, and Srirampura, has prompted the installation of rate hike notices and UPI scan systems for digital payments. This adjustment impacts various demographics, including roadside vendors, laborers, and PG residents who rely on these plants for clean drinking water.
Shankar, a Gayatri Nagar resident, lamented the sudden increase, emphasizing that the additional Rs 80 – 100 monthly expenditure for water was unforeseen and burdensome. Many such plants were established with local MLA support to provide affordable water, yet their management now lies with private firms tasked with maintaining electrically operated filtration systems.
A staff member from a unit in Prakasanagar attributed the rate hike directly to high power consumption from these essential filtration machines. As discussions on affordability continue, the community awaits resolutions that balance the need for accessible clean water with operational costs.
