Active Stocks
Mon Mar 18 2024 15:55:53
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 149.60 5.69%
  1. Tata Motors share price
  2. 972.20 2.75%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 417.40 -0.51%
  1. State Bank Of India share price
  2. 730.70 -0.18%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,082.00 0.32%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Bengaluru water crisis: India’s Silicon Valley might head Cape Town way
BackBack

Bengaluru water crisis: India’s Silicon Valley might head Cape Town way

Bengaluru water table has shrunk from 10-12 m to 76-91 m in just two decades while the number of extraction wells has gone up from 5,000 to 0.45 million in 30 years

A file photo of Bengaluru church street. The India’s Silicon Valley is among the 10 cities in the world that might be on the verge of an imminent acute water crisis just as the one faced by South Africa’s Cape Town, a CSE-assisted magazine said. Photo: MintPremium
A file photo of Bengaluru church street. The India’s Silicon Valley is among the 10 cities in the world that might be on the verge of an imminent acute water crisis just as the one faced by South Africa’s Cape Town, a CSE-assisted magazine said. Photo: Mint

New Delhi: Bengaluru is among the 10 cities in the world that might be on the verge of an imminent acute water crisis just as the one faced by Cape Town in South Africa, a CSE-assisted environment magazine on Wednesday claimed.

“The number of waterbodies in Bengaluru has reduced by 79% due to unplanned urbanisation and encroachment — while built-up area has increased from 8% in 1973 to 77% now," claimed Down To Earth, the magazine that Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) helps publish.

According to a statement issued by CSE ahead of World Water Day, the water table in Bengaluru has shrunk from 10-12 m to 76-91 m in just two decades while the number of extraction wells has gone up from 5,000 to 0.45 million in 30 years.

“Cape Town in South Africa is facing the prospect of all its taps running dry by June-July this year," it claimed.

Bengaluru’s population might reach 20.3 million by 2031 – and is growing by 3.5% annually, the CSE statement said.

“Many of the world’s leading cities will see Cape Town-like water crisis in the not too distant future... 10 cities across the world are facing ‘Day Zero’ (when taps are expected to run dry), and severe water shortage will hit them in the not-too distant future unless cities innovate, diversify supply sources and use water judiciously," it said.

Besides Bengaluru, other cities facing similar situation include Beijing (China), Mexico City (Mexico), Nairobi (Kenya), Karachi (Pakistan), Kabul (Afghanistan) and Istanbul (Turkey), the statement said.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 21 Mar 2018, 07:25 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App