Karnataka offers one-time settlement scheme for water bill defaulters in Bengaluru
Karnataka launched a scheme allowing Bengaluru residents to pay only the principal amount of their outstanding water bills, waiving interest.Summary
The Karnataka state government has announced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme to provide relief to Bengaluru residents who have defaulted on their water bills owed to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the scheme, valid from April to June 2026, will waive interest on pending dues if consumers pay the principal amount within the specified timeframe. Currently, approximately 5.1 lakh out of 11 lakh water connections in Bengaluru have outstanding dues, totaling Rs 851.3 crore (Rs 539.4 crore in principal and Rs 311.9 crore in interest as of February 2026).
The OTS scheme applies to all consumer categories – domestic, commercial, and industrial – with government department dues being addressed separately through reconciliation. BWSSB will notify defaulters with details of the payable amounts, and payments can be made through various channels including kiosks, an online portal, and digital payment methods.
Shivakumar emphasized that the initiative aims to ease the financial burden on citizens while simultaneously strengthening the BWSSB’s financial position, urging residents to take advantage of the three-month window to clear their dues and avoid future penalties.
(Source：The Times Of India)