Water supply to Indira Canteens in Bengaluru disconnected for non-payment of bill

Contractors accuse the previous contractors of not paying the dues on time, resulting in disconnection of water supply by BWSSB, and also alleged that the BBMP is yet to clear their dues

Indira Canteens in Bengaluru, which are already starved of funds, are now hit by a water crisis. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) cut supply to the canteens for non-payment of bills.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath confirmed that water bills have not been paid. “I have received complaints regarding shortage of drinking water in Indira Canteens. As per the agreement, the contractors are responsible for providing water in Indira Canteens, and they have to pay the water bill. This is the agreement between the contractor and BWSSB,” he said.

Following disruption in water supply, the contractors are depending on water tanker and cans of purified water.

“For the last nine months, the BWSSB water supply has been disconnected, We are dependent on water tankers and water cans,” said Suvarna, manager of an Indira Canteen in Gandhinagar.

Contractors blame the previous contractors of not paying the dues on time, and also alleged that the BBMP is yet to pay their dues.

A representative of Cheftalk Food, one of the three contractors of Indira Canteens, said, “The previous contractors had not been been paying bills on time, which resulted in disconnection of water supply by the BWSSB. At the same time, the BBMP is yet to clear our bills, which are due for several months.”

After 101 canteens were initially opened in 2017, their popularity led to the expansion of the scheme to all the 198 wards in Bengaluru. At present, Indira Canteens provide breakfast for ₹5, and lunch and dinner for ₹10. Most canteens in Bengaluru are suffering due to what the opposition alleges is lack of interest by the present BJP government to fund operations of the canteens.