BWSSB rolls out OTS scheme, waives interest on water bill arrears, for residents of Bengaluru

Bengaluru's BWSSB launches OTS scheme, waiving interest on water bill arrears to assist residents in clearing dues.

A one-time settlement (OTS) scheme, waiving 100% interest on pending water bills, was announced by the Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru in-charge Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday. The OTS will be operational for three months from April to June.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) initiative, rolled out as an “Ugadi gift”, aims to help consumers clear long-pending dues by paying only the principal amount. Interest accrued until April 2026 will be fully waived as a rebate during the scheme period.

According to official data, of the nearly 11 lakh water connections in the city, about 5.11 lakh have outstanding dues. As of the end of February 2026, total arrears stand at ₹851.33 crore, including ₹539.43 crore in principal and ₹311.90 crore in interest.

The scheme will apply to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers. Government departments and institutions will also be covered through a different mechanism.

To facilitate payments, BWSSB will issue detailed statements to the defaulters, including RR numbers, principal dues, interest waivers, and the final payable amounts. Payments can be made through kiosks, the online portal, and through digital platforms.

Mr. Shivakumar said the move is expected to ease the financial burden on citizens while improving the BWSSB’s revenue collection. Shivakumar urged consumers to utilise the “golden opportunity” to clear their dues within the three-month window.