Bengaluru, March 21: In a major relief to citizens, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme offering a complete waiver of interest on pending water bills, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Friday.
The scheme, introduced as an Ugadi special initiative, will be implemented for a period of three months—from April to June 2026—benefiting lakhs of consumers with long-pending dues.
According to the announcement, consumers who clear the principal amount of their outstanding bills during the scheme period will receive a 100% waiver on accumulated interest up to April 2026.
Background of the Scheme
Shivakumar stated that out of nearly 11 lakh water connections under BWSSB, around 5.11 lakh consumers have pending dues. As of February 2026, the total outstanding amount stands at approximately ₹851.33 crore, which includes ₹539.43 crore as principal and ₹311.90 crore as interest.
The OTS scheme aims to ease the financial burden on citizens while also improving the financial health of the utility board.
Who Will Benefit?
The scheme will be applicable to all categories of consumers, including:
- Domestic users
- Commercial establishments
- Industrial units
Government departments and institutions will also be covered under the scheme through appropriate account reconciliation mechanisms.
Simplified Payment Process
To facilitate smooth implementation, BWSSB will provide individual consumers with detailed information, including their RR number, principal amount, interest waiver, and final payable amount.
Payments can be made through:
- BWSSB kiosks
- Online portals
- Various digital payment platforms
Government’s Message
Announcing the scheme, DK Shivakumar said the initiative has a dual objective—providing financial relief to over 5 lakh consumers while strengthening BWSSB’s revenue system.
He urged citizens to take advantage of the limited three-month window, highlighting that nearly ₹311 crore worth of interest burden will be waived under the scheme.
The move is expected to significantly boost bill recovery while offering much-needed relief to Bengaluru residents.
