Bayer partners with Safe Water Network India to provide clean water in Karnataka

iJal stations to deliver affordable, clean drinking water through water ATMs run by local Self-Help Groups and entrepreneurs

Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in healthcare and agriculture, in partnership with Safe Water Network India, has launched an initiative to provide communities in Karnataka with access to safe, affordable drinking water through 20 iJal stations in and around Chikkaballapur. The launch, which will take place in Bengaluru, is part of a nationwide initiative involving the installation of 90 iJal water stations in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana. These iJal stations will help nearly 3 lakh people in these states get inclusive and equitable access to clean water.

Due to depleting groundwater reserves, erratic rainfall, and poor civic infrastructure, access to clean and safe drinking water is on a sharp decline, especially in India. The country has 18 per cent of the world’s population, but only 4 per cent of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed in the world. Installation of water ATMs in the form of iJal stations can help safeguard the supply of clean water to vulnerable communities. More than just clean water, this initiative empowers local communities by involving Self-Help Groups and entrepreneurs, creating livelihood opportunities and enhancing the project’s sustainability. Designed for long-term impact, the iJal initiative is built for scalability, ensuring that more communities can benefit from reliable access to clean water in the future.

Speaking at the launch of the iJal stations in Bangalore, Rachana Panda, VP & Cluster Comms Head, Bayer ASEAN, ANZ & South Asia, and Director – Bayer Foundation India, said, “Access to clean drinking water is not just a necessity—it’s a right. With the launch of iJal stations in Bangalore, we are enabling underserved communities to take charge of their water security. This model goes beyond just access to clean water—it builds local ownership, helps improve the community’s health, reduces the daily drudgery of fetching water, leaving women with more time for productive work, increases economic opportunities and lays the groundwork for a viable, community-led change.”