Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar
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The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced plans to establish the Bengaluru Global Water Innovation Network (BGWIN), an international platform designed to modernise urban water management.Conceived in alignment with CM DK Shivakumar’s ‘Brand Bengaluru’ initiative, the network will link global water utilities, research institutions, startups, and investors to address systemic challenges caused by rapid urbanisation and resource scarcity.The initiative will feature a Centre of Excellence and a dedicated Technology Innovation Hub. Research operations will target artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics, smart metering, decentralised water treatment, and wastewater recycling solutions.To reduce risks associated with public spending, the board intends to deploy new technologies on a pilot scale under real-world operating conditions before executing city-wide implementations. BGWIN is designed to function on a self-sustaining financial model by combining international grants, private sector partnerships, and subscription-based memberships.“A secure water future is the foundation of a resilient global city,” stated Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “The establishment of BGWIN marks a historic step towards transforming Bengaluru into a global centre for water innovation and advancing our vision of Brand Bengaluru.”BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar V noted that the network is built to serve as a world-class collaborative facility. “This is not merely a technology initiative; it is our commitment to creating a secure, sustainable, and resilient water future for generations to come while contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.In a separate administrative expansion, the Chief Minister announced that the state is introducing targeted secretariats to address public grievances.Detailing the focus on transparent governance, Shivakumar said, “We are going to set up a Public Grievances Secretariat because a large number of public grievances have accumulated. A separate secretariat will be formed, and a minister will be given responsibility for handling it. Secondly, we are going to establish an NRI Secretariat. Thirdly, regarding administration, we are committed to ensuring free, fair, and transparent governance.”Departments have been given a 15-day deadline to submit structured action plans to align with these transparency guidelines.Published on June 4, 2026
