Bengaluru: In a significant Ugadi festival gesture for the residents of the Silicon City, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has launched a special initiative. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Saturday the implementation of a 'One-Time Settlement' (OTS) scheme to assist consumers who have long-standing pending water bills.

What is the Scheme?

The primary objective of this scheme is to provide a 100% interest waiver on pending water bills under the BWSSB jurisdiction. Consumers can clear their dues by paying only the principal amount of their bills, thereby gaining complete relief from accumulated interest.

Scheme Duration

This golden opportunity will be available for a limited period of three months only:

Start Date: April 2026

End Date: June 2026

Key Statistics of Outstanding Dues

According to BWSSB data, a massive amount remains unpaid in Bengaluru:

Total Connections: Approximately 1.1 million.

Number of Defaulters: 511,000 consumers.

Total Outstanding Amount: ₹851.33 crore.

Principal Amount: ₹539.43 crore.

Interest to be Waived: ₹311.90 crore.

Who is Eligible?

The benefits of this scheme are not limited to households. It applies to:

Domestic consumers.

Commercial connections.

Industrial units.

Government Departments and institutions.

How to Make the Payment?

To assist consumers, the payment process has been simplified:

Each defaulter will be provided with details regarding their RR Number, the principal amount due, and the specific interest amount being waived. Payments can be made through BWSSB kiosks, the official online portal, or various digital payment applications.

Statement from D.K. Shivakumar: "We are offering this Ugadi gift to provide financial relief to over 511,000 consumers in the city. By waiving interest worth ₹311 crore, we are significantly reducing the financial burden on our citizens. I urge the public to make the most of this three-month opportunity."