BWSSB’s EMI scheme for new water connections draws good response

BENGALURU: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has introduced an EMI option for new Cauvery water connections, which has been well-received. Over 10,000 applications have been received for water connections through EMI within just 10 days of the scheme’s launch.

Earlier, it was a big problem for many to pay a huge amount at once to get new water connections for large apartments and residential buildings.The EMI option allows consumers to pay 20 per cent as down payment for the connection and the remaining 80 per cent in 12 monthly installments with 0.75 per cent interest per month.

The scheme is available until June 30, after which the EMI option will not be available, and consumers will have to pay the full amount at once. For those who opt for the EMI scheme, the water connection will be provided within 20 days of paying the 20 per cent down payment.

The rules for availing the EMI facility are:

1. 20 pc of the demand notice amount must be paid within 30 days.
2. The remaining 80 pc can be paid in 12 monthly installments.
3. Interest at 0.75 pc per month will be charged on the outstanding amount.
4. A notice will be issued if an EMI payment is missed, and the payment must be made within 20 days.
5. Failure to pay after receiving the notice will result in seizing of the amount already paid.
6. The EMI facility is available to apartment owners, welfare associations and individual homeowners.
7. Developers are not eligible for the EMI facility.
8. This scheme is beneficial for large apartment complexes and residential buildings that struggle to pay the connection fee in one lump sum.

BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar said about the scheme over phone, “This is only for new connections. The connection can be got through the Sarala Cauvery web portal. This is just beginning, making it easy for middle-class and poor families and we are getting a good response from the public. The BWSSB is also planning to increase the connections through campaigns in the coming days. If the party fails to pay installments, the board will cut off the connection 15 days after a notice is issued”.