BWSSB fines 22 families in Bengaluru for wasting drinking water
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has taken action against 22 families for utilizing drinking water for non-essential purposes, such as washing cars and gardening, amidst a severe water scarcity in the state. The board has collected fines totaling Rs 1.1 lakh, with each family being levied a fine of Rs 5,000 for violating water conservation directives issued by the board.
According to BWSSB officials, the restrictions were enforced on March 22, and by March 24, 22 instances of violations had been recorded, with fines being collected on the spot and receipts issued. Most of the complaints against the offenders were received through various social media platforms, officials noted.
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In the second week of March, the BWSSB imposed a ban on various water-consuming activities in the city, including cleaning vehicles, gardening, construction work, operation of fountains, entertainment purposes, and non-drinking water usage in cinema halls, malls, as well as for road construction and cleanliness.
With Holi celebrations approaching, the BWSSB has also urged residents to refrain from using Cauvery and borewell water for pool parties and rain dances. Additionally, the board has encouraged the installation of aerators in hotels, apartments, and industries to reduce water consumption.
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New trains to ease crowding on Namma Metro Purple-Green lines in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Commuters on the crowded Namma Metro Purple and Green lines may soon get relief, as the Railway Board has issued provisional sanction for induction of new train sets, Deccan Herald reported.
The Railway Board communicated the provisional sanction to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in a letter on April 1, raising hopes that additional trains could be deployed during peak hours by May-June.
According to the Railway Board, the approval comes with conditions, including a maximum speed of 80 kmph in fully inflated mode and 25 kmph in deflated mode of the secondary air spring.
The BMRCL will also need a separate sanction from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) by submitting the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report confirming the trains’ integration, operation, and compatibility with the Direct To Go (DTG) signalling and train control system for the Purple and Green lines.
The BMRCL has received three DTG trains, including a prototype delivered in January 2025, for the Purple and Green lines. The trains must pass 37 statutory clearances before entering passenger service.
The BMRCL had approached the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), under the Ministry of Railways, to conduct statutory trials related to oscillation, braking, speed and system integration tests for the trains. The CMRS will issue the final sanction after receiving the ISA certificate.
Officials said the ISA certification process is already underway, with new signalling software currently being tested. Final approvals are expected by May-June, after which the trains can be introduced into service.
The new trains have been supplied by China's CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, which will deliver a total of 21 trains for the Purple and Green lines in partnership with the West Bengal-based Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL). Currently, the network operates with 57 trains supplied by BEML.
