Indian Express 08.10.2010
Full water supply till next monsoon
Express News Service Tags : Water supply, BMC, consumer Posted: Fri Oct 08 2010, 00:05 hrs
Mumbai: Water supply will remain total with the BMC deciding not to re-impose the 15 per cent cut it had lifted during the festival season in September. After a number of meetings and constant pressure from corporators, municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya announced on Thursday that the lakes the city depends on have filled up after a good monsoon and the city will get its full quota of 3350 million litres per day. The 30 per cent water cut imposed on bulk consumers, too, has been lifted.“After thoroughly studying the current availability of water in the lakes along with officials from the water department, we have come to the conclusion that there is no need for re-imposing the water cut, at least before next year’s monsoon. However, we will keep reviewing every three months if the cut needs to be re-imposed,” said Kshatriya.
Yet problems remain, corporators complain and Kshatriya himself admits. Corporators said distribution has been unequal and pressure low in areas at the ends of the supply pipelines. “Does the BMC have any vision about how it will solve problems such as supply at the fag ends and the hillocks, water loss due to thefts and leakages? Do officials feel they can now sit back and relax just because the lakes have filled up?” said Sunil Prabhu of the Shiv Sena.
After complaints from members of the standing committee, Kshatriya admitted the situation is far from satisfactory. “It is ironic that despite availability, we have not been able to supply adequate water in some areas. Officials of the water department who have knowledge and experience have informed me that due to technical reasons, the master balance reservoir on the Bhandup complex is not getting the adequate level, which is affecting supply at Worli and Malabar Hill reservoirs and indirectly affecting supply in the island city,” he said.
He added a similar problem is being experienced to an extent at the Pise-Panjrapur pumping station; the Rawli Camp reservoir is not getting enough water, affecting supply in parts of eastern suburbs.
Upcoming establishments including residential complexes whose daily need is more than two lakh litres will not get new connections till the completion of the Middle Vaitarna dam. However, all new SRA and rehabilitation buildings, under all schemes, will be supplied water so project-affected persons can be rehabilitated and the projects can progress. Desalination and grey water recycling plants will be set up on a public-private partnership if the Centre does not fund them, Kshatriya said.
