The Times of India 27.08.2010
Most lakes at their level best
MUMBAI: The BMC may not be willing to roll back the water cuts even though the latest data on lake levels shows that the catchment areas have enough stock to last until next monsoon. Sources say there is no "practical reason'' why the civic body must persist with the cuts with the existing stock touching 11,01,149 million litres— sufficient to meet the normal water supply of 3,450 mld for the next nine months (until May 31).
"Our lakes have enough water to sustain the city's needs for the next nine months even if it does not rain any more. But last year's experience has taught us to be cautious,'' said Yogesh Sagar, a member of the civic standing committee.
At the standing committee meeting on Wednesday, corporators from all political parties demanded that the BMC withdraw the cut immediately. "Even if it doesn't rain now, a 5% cut could be imposed later in the months of June and July next year,'' they said. Following a discussion on the situation of water supply at the meeting, the cut was brought down to 4%, with the BMC increasing water supply to the city to 3,264 mld.
BMC officials said they were forced to play it safe as two major lakes—- Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna—were still below the overflow mark. "While Upper Vaitarna was still 35% short of its entire quota, Bhatsa was at least 17% below the required mark,'' officials said. "Although the four BMC lakes have started to overflow, their contents account for a small share of the total supply to the city. We still need 13,20,000 million litres to sail through the entire year,'' said a senior civic official.
