Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Visakhapatnam Water Crisis: Tanker Owners Overcharge Residents Amid Shortage
A city called Visakhapatnam in India is running out of water.
It did not rain enough in June and July, so the water in the ground and in lakes went very low.
Many wells have dried up, and taps only give water once every two or three days.
People now have to buy water from private trucks that bring water around the city.
Some truck owners are charging people a lot of money for the water.
They pay about ₹500 to fill their truck, but they ask residents to pay ₹3,000 for the same water.
The city says the fair price is only ₹900.
The problem is even harder for people living in slums, where water comes only once in two days for 20 minutes.
The city is starting a call centre so people can book a water truck and get water within two hours.
Visakhapatnam is facing an acute water crisis as reservoir and groundwater levels have declined sharply.
Private tanker owners buy 5,000 litres of water for Rs 500 but sell it to residents for Rs 3,000, far above the GVMC-fixed rate of ₹900.
Tanker owners are refusing to supply at the fixed rate and prefer hotels and commercial establishments, which pay higher amounts.
GVMC officials blame deficit rainfall in June and July due to the El Nino effect for record-low groundwater, falling over 20 metres below ground level in some urban areas.
The city requires 400 million litres per day but is receiving 320 MLD, with 90 MLD going to industries; a call centre for tanker bookings has been launched.
- Who
- Residents of Visakhapatnam, including apartment dwellers and over a million slum dwellers, private water tanker owners, and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
- What
- A severe water shortage in which tanker operators overcharge residents as bore wells dry up and piped supply drops to once every two or three days.
- When
- During the current crisis, following deficit rainfall in June and July; a spike in demand was reported on a recent Thursday.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam (Vizag), including the TSR Complex pump house and the reservoirs Mudasarlova, Meghadrigedda, Raiwada, Thatipudi, and Gosthani.
- Why
- Deficit rainfall in June and July attributed to the El Nino effect pushed groundwater to record-low levels and depleted reservoirs.
Residents and Regulators
Private Tanker Operators
Water pricing
Residents and Regulators
GVMC has fixed the price at ₹900 per 5,000 litres, and residents say tanker owners are exploiting the crisis by charging ₹3,000 for the same quantity.
Private Tanker Operators
Tanker owners refuse to supply at the fixed ₹900 rate and instead sell where they can collect far higher amounts.
Supply priorities
Residents and Regulators
Residential households need priority supply, with crowds gathering at the TSR Complex pump house pleading for water and slums receiving water for only 20 minutes every two days.
Private Tanker Operators
Tanker owners prefer hotels and commercial establishments because those customers pay higher amounts than residences.
- City
- Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
- Daily water requirement
- 400 million litres per day (MLD)
- Daily water supply
- 320 MLD, of which 90 MLD goes to industries
- GVMC-fixed tanker rate
- ₹900 per 5,000 litres
- Price charged to residents
- ₹3,000 per 5,000 litres (bought from suppliers for ₹500)
- Groundwater decline
- Over 20 metres below ground level in some urban areas
- Reservoir status
- Mudasarlova dried up completely; Meghadrigedda, Raiwada, Thatipudi, and Gosthani at low levels
- Slum population affected
- Over one million people