As Bengaluru grapples with a severe water crisis, hospitals in various parts of the city are facing significant challenges in fulfilling their daily water needs. Dried-up borewells, erratic supply of Cauvery water connections, and exorbitant costs of water tankers have exacerbated the situation, leaving hospitals with no choice but to procure water at inflated prices to cater to the needs of patients.
Whitfield, one of the worst affected areas, has witnessed hospitals such as Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre resorting to purchasing water from tankers due to inadequate water supply from the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Dr. Ravi Babu, the CEO of Vydehi Institute, highlighted the dire situation, stating that the hospital requires 8 to 10 lakh litres of water daily to accommodate around 700 patients and thousands of students and staff. Despite repeated alerts to the BWSSB, the situation remains unresolved, compelling hospitals to bear the escalating costs of water tankers.
Similarly, Apollo Hospitals in Bannerghatta faces a similar predicament, with two dried-up borewells and insufficient BWSSB connections unable to meet their daily water requirements. The hospital, dependent on approximately 40 to 50 water tankers daily, incurs substantial expenses, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Citizen activist Sandeep Anirudhan attributes the crisis to poor governance and inadequate policy implementation, emphasizing the need for immediate action. While BWSSB Chief Engineer Suresh acknowledges the increased demand driven by the burgeoning IT hubs and residential developments in the area, tangible solutions to address the pressing water needs of hospitals remain elusive.
The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, as hospitals play a pivotal role in providing essential medical services to the public. Urgent measures, including improved water supply infrastructure and effective governance, are imperative to mitigate the adverse impacts of the water crisis on healthcare institutions. Collaborative efforts between authorities, stakeholders, and community members are crucial to ensure sustainable access to water for hospitals and safeguard public health in Bengaluru.
