(Image source from: News9live.com)

Water problems persist in Bengaluru, but the eastern part of the city has shed light on the failure of successive governments and the water supply board to address the crisis. The residents of Horamavu, particularly those in Mallappa layout and nearby areas, were assured a Cauvery water connection in 2017 during Siddaramaiah's tenure as chief minister (2013-2018). They dutifully paid for the water connection and even had water meters installed, with the promise of water supply within two years. However, this promise remains unfulfilled. Shrikanth, a resident of Mallappa layout, expressed his frustration, stating, "Siddaramaiah made a promise in 2017 for a Cauvery water connection, but it never materialized due to the pandemic. However, what has been done since then? We have paid the beneficiary contribution charges, but nothing has been done yet. It's disheartening to see this bias against us. There hasn't been much progress."

While the residents did receive the Cauvery water connection, they have yet to experience any water supply. Despite receiving numerous dates for the supply, nothing has materialized. The residents are also concerned about the money they have already paid. Additionally, they question why no efforts have been made to revive the borewells that still contain water. Residents in Mallappa layout, like those in other parts of East Bengaluru, are facing a severe water shortage. The depletion of groundwater levels has caused all the borewells in the layout, except for one, to dry up. As a result, the residents are heavily reliant on water tankers for their daily needs. Despite multiple requests to renovate the borewells, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) claims to be facing a shortage of funds. This negligence has left the residents without water for basic necessities such as toilets and bathing, and has even caused some to miss work.