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India's water woes: Pollution, poor management worsen disparities in water supply

Pollution and poor management including rampant theft worsen disparities in water supply

A private tanker spraying water on a road being built in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. There is bitterness in the Indian state over the perceived unfairness of how water is distributed. Residents in the Indian capital New Delhi filling their c
Residents in the Indian capital New Delhi filling their containers with drinking water from a municipal tanker. In some Delhi neighbourhoods, scuffles and brawls are common when these tankers arrive. PHOTO: REUTERS
A private tanker spraying water on a road being built in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. There is bitterness in the Indian state over the perceived unfairness of how water is distributed. Residents in the Indian capital New Delhi filling their c
Bengaluru's Ulsoor Lake may be full but its water is polluted. PHOTO: ARVIND JAYARAM, REUTERS
A private tanker spraying water on a road being built in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. There is bitterness in the Indian state over the perceived unfairness of how water is distributed. Residents in the Indian capital New Delhi filling their c
A woman taking a dip in the polluted waters of the Yamuna River during the Hindu religious festival of Chatth Puja in New Delhi earlier this month. PHOTO: ARVIND JAYARAM, REUTERS
A private tanker spraying water on a road being built in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. There is bitterness in the Indian state over the perceived unfairness of how water is distributed. Residents in the Indian capital New Delhi filling their c
A private tanker spraying water on a road being built in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. There is bitterness in the Indian state over the perceived unfairness of how water is distributed. PHOTO: SAGGERE RADHAKRISHNA
Arvind Jayaram In Bengaluru (India)
Updated
Nov 27, 2018, 10:49 AM
Published
Nov 27, 2018, 05:00 AM
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The well in Mr Mohammed Rafiq Baig's courtyard has dried up.

His family had been drawing groundwater from the well for 30 years without a problem, but ever since a multi-storey luxury apartment block started coming up in his neighbourhood about three years ago, the water has disappeared.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 27, 2018, with the headline India's water woes: Pollution, poor management worsen disparities in water supply. Subscribe

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