Leads: Anik Bhaduri and M S Mohan Kumar

A customized near real-time index for the city of Bengaluru will be developed by collating spatial maps and real-time data to produce retrospective and near-real-time assessment of the state of the water resource base of Bengaluru at a high spatial resolution. Indicators will be cast as a suite of metrics represented as a time series combining of human dimension data (including socioeconomic indicators) together with a bio-geophysical water resource measures). The index will be constructed using institutional and scenario analysis, risk and multi-criteria assessments. The index will be a regular, consistent assessment function and provide rigorous, systematic, timely comprehensive assessments and it would be a principal contribution to anticipatory planning at all levels of government, a basis for investment and policy decisions related to water, and can help to maximise the impact of local level policies and decisions. Indicators will address water risks as well as potential impacts on water scarcity problems. It will allow understanding how hard infrastructure in combination with natural infrastructure can support the maintenance of ecosystem services and benefit the population of different wards. It will specify spatially where investments can have maximum impact in containing human water security threat containment. The Bengaluru Water State index’s suite of metrics will be used to compile a compressive annual report on the progress made against specific SDG goals. In addition, the information gathered on different stressors that impact water scarcity will be overlaid on a high resolution map of Bengaluru in near real time to produce a dynamic water risk map. A sophisticated analytical program will be built in to observe the water risk against varying scenarios.