Bengaluru turning Rajasthan? Water crisis to worsen situation in Karnataka that's already India's second-largest arid region
With a population of IT capital exceeding 1.5 crore, water shortages have intensified in recent decades due to uncontrolled growth. Despite sporadic government initiatives, the city’s growth has outpaced its infrastructure development, leading to a failure to adequately address the looming crisis. Furthermore, the destruction of lakes has exacerbated the challenges faced by the tech capital of the country.
A prominent resident welfare association (RWA) of south Bengaluru said successive govts since independence were aware that Bengaluru would eventually face a water crisis. “None took up the responsibility to prepare the city for such a catastrophe,” the RWA lamented.
Water crisis: Key issue of 18th Lok Sabha polls:
Ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha polls, the water crisis in Bengaluru has garnered significant attention and is turning out to be one of the key issues for the political parties to focus this election. The situation has exerted pressure on political parties and contestants alike, with the issue dominating electoral discussions. While some parties advocate for the construction of reservoirs to ad- dress the crisis, others remain notably silent on the matter.
The crisis in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, driven by a prolonged dry spell, poor monsoons, and alarming depletion of groundwater tables, has been further complicated by the enigmatic impact of El Nino. This situation is particularly challenging, given Karnataka’s status as the second-largest arid region in India after Rajasthan.
Acknowledging the
