Bengaluru: Water crisis shakes India’s Silicon Valley

Bengaluru, also known as India's Silicon Valley, is currently experiencing a severe water crisis. The residents of the city are grappling with long queues at public taps and a shortage of water, which has led to a significant disruption in their daily lives. Bengaluru, the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, was once known for its numerous lakes and abundant water resources. However, due to rapid urbanization and unchecked development, the city's water sources have been heavily depleted. One of the main reasons for the water crisis in Bengaluru is the overexploitation of groundwater. The growing population and the exponential increase in construction activities have led to a massive demand for water, resulting in the excessive pumping of groundwater. This has caused the water table to plummet, and many of the city's borewells have gone dry. Moreover, the city's lakes, which used to act as natural sponges and recharge the groundwater, have been encroached upon and heavily polluted. The pollution is mainly caused by untreated sewage that is directly discharged into the lakes. As a result, the once pristine water bodies have turned into toxic cesspools. The government's water supply infrastructure has also failed to keep pace with the city's rapid growth. The pipelines are old and leaky, resulting in significant water losses. In some areas, the supply is irregular, leaving residents with no choice but to rely on water tankers or stand in long queues at public taps. The water shortage