Daybreak Why Bengaluru’s apartment complexes would rather rely on the “tanker mafia” than subsidised water
Mar 27, 2026
Mutasim Khan, an investigative reporter who exposed Bengaluru’s water crisis and the tanker economy, tells the story. He walks through how private tankers grew, why a government app flopped, and why apartments trust paid tankers over subsidised supply. He also uncovers conflicts where officials rented the same tankers they criticised and outlines community pushback and legal fights.
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Restaurant Restroom Sparked The Investigation
- Mutasim discovered the problem after a restaurant in Bellandur had no running water for hours.
- That surprised him given the IT corridor context and prompted the investigation into pipelines and tankers.
Tanker Economy Grew From Local Farmers
- A parallel tanker economy arose from unmet demand in new suburbs, often run by former farmers.
- Operators dug borewells (often illegal), bought small fleets and supplied apartment complexes with 12-kl tankers.
Tanker Prices And The Promise Of Kaveri On Wheels
- Private tanker prices typically range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per 12-kiloliter tanker and vary by season.
- The government launched Sanchari Kaveri promising 40–60% discounts to undercut these rates.