In a significant move to address the ongoing water crisis in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar launched the much-anticipated Cauvery Phase 5 Water Project on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, Shivakumar expressed optimism about the project’s impact, stating, “One-third of Bengaluru will get water. There will be no problem for the next 10 years. Water will be covered for a population of 50 lakh. About ₹5000 crores have been spent… Whatever I promised, I have delivered to the people of Bengaluru. I would like to congratulate the people of Bengaluru.”
The Cauvery Phase 5 project aims to provide a reliable drinking water supply to 110 villages under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and was officially launched at Torekadanahalli in Malavalli taluk. The Deputy Chief Minister encouraged citizens to come out in large numbers to witness this pivotal moment in the state’s infrastructure development.
As one of the largest water supply initiatives in India, the Cauvery Phase 5 project is designed to serve approximately 5 million residents of Bengaluru. At its core is the construction of India’s largest water treatment plant, boasting a capacity of 775 million liters per day (MLD). Additionally, the project features a state-of-the-art flood control system to maintain uninterrupted operations.
The project includes the installation of three advanced booster pumping stations located at TK Halli, Harohalli, and Tataguni, enabling water to be pumped to an elevation of 450 meters—approximately the height of a 50-story building. Water will be transported through steel pipes ranging from 500mm to 2200mm in diameter, covering a distance of approximately 110 kilometers. The undertaking required an impressive 145,000 metric tonnes of steel and 2.4 crore man-hours of labor, showcasing a remarkable feat of modern engineering.
Water from the Cauvery Phase 5 project will be distributed throughout Bengaluru’s suburbs via a robust steel trunk main pipeline, reaching critical reservoirs in Gottigere, Doddakanahalli, Lingadhiranahalli, SMV 6th Block, Kadugodi, and Chokkanahalli. From these reservoirs, water will flow to various neighborhoods, including Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru South, Batarayanpur, T. Dasarahalli, Mahadevpura, Rajarajeshwarinagar, and Bommanahalli, ensuring every household in the targeted areas has access to clean water.
In addition to the project launch, Shivakumar took the opportunity to address criticism from opposition parties regarding recent waterlogging issues in Bengaluru caused by heavy rainfall. “It is not possible to control nature. The government is doing the best it can to manage rain havoc. The Opposition parties must stop tarnishing the image of Bengaluru,” he stated. He further committed to holding a meeting with officials from the BBMP, police, and fire departments to assess the situation upon his return from the inauguration.
Sources By Agencies
