BMC chief calls for extra manpower to fix contaminated water supply

The directives came two days after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray took to social media to highlight widespread complaints of muddy and low-pressure water, noting that such a level of discontent was unprecedented.

The civic body appealed to residents to contact the helpline number 1916 to register any water supply-related complaints. (Image source: FreePik)

With pockets of the city reeling under a water crisis stemming from the supply of contaminated, low pressure water, BMC municipal commissioner and state appointed administrator Bhushan Gagrani on Friday called for the deployment of additional manpower to detect and fix leakages at the earliest. In a bid to improve monitoring, Gagrani directed senior officials to form squads to inspect and seize illegal motor pumps and cut unauthorised water connections.

The directives came two days after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray took to social media to highlight widespread complaints of muddy and low-pressure water, noting that such a level of discontent was unprecedented. Demanding that the BMC explain its lapses in a press conference, Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday said, “Over the past few days, Mumbaikars have been complaining about either muddy water or water with impurities that lead to stomach bugs or discomfort. Some wards have also seen less pressure of water than before.”
Taking stock of the crisis, Gagrani on Friday convened a meeting with officials from the hydraulics department, where he directed the civic body to increase monitoring of possible leakages, detect sources of contaminated water supply as well as keep an eye on the use of illegal motor pumps as well as the increase in water being drawn through unauthorised means.

To prevent the unauthorised drawing of water, Gagrani said the BMC should maintain control of the valve operation as well as form squads that will be tasked with monitoring unauthorised pipe connections. These squads will also be entrusted with confiscating illegal motor pumps. The BMC chief stated that penal action will be taken against offenders.

Pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects across the city, Gagrani said water supply channels sustain damage during roadworks, affecting water supply.

During the course of the meeting, officials were asked to redress water complaints at the earliest. In an effort to resolve the grievances, Gagrani said additional manpower should be deployed, adding that officials from the ward’s hydraulic department should be present on field.

Despite the lake levels touching 93 per cent, parts of the city, like Andheri, Malad, Juhu and Gorai amongst others had received low pressure and contaminated water over the past few days. Bringing attention to to the water cut directive that was withdrawn on July 29, several citizens have expressed concerns over the extent of the crisis, adding that they have never witnessed such problems during monsoons in the past. A senior official said that Mumbai had been experiencing water woes owing to the changes which had been put in place when the city-wide 10 per cent water cut was implemented. The water cut had been imposed on June 5.

The civic body appealed to residents to contact the helpline number 1916 to register any water supply-related complaints.

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