Volunteer Credits: Kavya K., Ria K

We acknowledge the support of Mr. Basavaraju, Executive Engineer, and Mr. Siddaraju, Computer Operator of BWSSB Indiranagar.

Overall assessment

Transferring a Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) connection is a straightforward, entirely online process. There is no offline alternative, and you do not need to visit the BWSSB office at any stage. The name change is typically completed within 10 days from the application’s acknowledgment. Since there is usually no urgency involved, hiring an agent is unnecessary.

Important Considerations

• Please ensure you have made the Khata transfer before applying for transfer of water connection
• The affidavit must be printed on ₹100 stamp paper and notarized. You can purchase stamp paper online and have it delivered, or simply visit a notary outside the courts or at a BDA complex to complete the entire process. The latter is usually more efficient.
• Common reasons for application rejection:
  • Uploaded documents are unclear or unreadable.
  • Older tax receipts are submitted instead of the latest ones.
  • Names on the documents do not match.
  • Additional construction is detected during the site inspection.
• After the application is submitted, the Assistant Engineer will visit the property for verification. Once it is approved, a payment request is generated. There is a 10-day deadline to make this payment, and a notification is not always sent, so please check the portal regularly to see if payment has been enabled. (Hat tip: Reader Satish)
• Certain browser plugins may prevent the Login button from appearing on the website when accessed via a desktop. If you encounter this issue, try using a different browser, an incognito window, or another device. Beyond this, the process is typically smooth.

Process Overview

Step 1: Document preparation
Step 2: Submit application online
Step 3: Site verification by BWSSB
Step 4: Approval Confirmation
Step 5: Fee Payment
Step 6: Transfer Complete!

Document Preparation

Ensure that the applicant’s name and the previous owner’s name are consistent across all documents.

Application Submission

1. On the BWSSB website, navigate to Services → Sakala Services → Transfer of Water Connection. Screenshots here
2. Sign up for an account or log in if you already have one.
3. Click the “Click Here” button to access the application form.
4. Fill in all required details and upload the necessary documents.
5. Click “Send Application” to submit your transfer request.
6. Save your acknowledgement and note down the GSC number generated to track your application. 

Post application – Site Verification, Approval, Payment 

After the application is submitted, the Assistant Engineer will visit the property for verification. Once approved, a payment request is generated.

There is a 10-day deadline to make this payment, and a notification is not always sent, so please check the portal regularly to see if payment has been enabled.

After payment, the transfer is completed, and the name is updated.

Application Tracking

After submission, you can track your application status through your account dashboard.

Grievance Redressal

BWSSB tends to be more accessible than other departments. If your transfer is not completed or rejected without valid justification, try reaching out to the Divisional or Sub-Divisional offices before filing a Sakala appeal, which takes up to 15 days for a response. Contact details for these offices are available here

Sakala – First Appeal

Submit your first appeal here to the Competent Officer, in this case, the Executive Engineer, using the acknowledgement number from your application submission.

Within 15 working days, you should either receive confirmation that the name transfer is complete or a clear explanation if your application did not meet the necessary requirements.

Sakala – Escalating to a Second Appeal

If the resolution from your first appeal is unsatisfactory, you have the option to file a second appeal. Submit your appeal here to the Appellate Authority, in this case, the Additional Chief Engineer.

The Appellate Authority is required to provide a final decision within 15 working days.

The decision made at this stage is conclusive and binding.

Appendix