Residents of Mumbai’s Govandi raise concern over taps running dry during Ramadan; BMC to extend inspection deadline

On March 7, last week, the BMC issued a notice announcing that between March 10 and March 18 it will conduct inspection of water connections in pockets of Shivaji Nagar, Gananath Colony, Lotus Colong as well as Abdul Hamid Marg.

In the notice, the BMC appealed to residents to furnish valid documents proving their water connections during the officials’ inspection visit, failing which it would disconnect water supply in unauthorised pockets.

Furthermore, the notice also states that action will be taken against water connections which are being illegally diverted for commercial purposes without the payment of the commercial rate.

Speaking to The Indian Express, an official from the local M/East ward office said that the survey – which will inspect illegal water connections – was proposed in light of the increasing complaints of contaminated water supply as well as unauthorised pipelines.

However, the notice has sparked concerns among local residents who fear suspension of water supply. While officials maintained that copies of civic water bills along with connections will be inspected, locals have alleged that the regulation of one water connection demands documents from five other households, leaving residents in a helpless situation.

Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum on Sunday wrote to the civic body flagging concerns, and calling for the extension of the deadline as well as clear procedural guidelines for regularisation before initiating any disconnections.

“The notice is in violation of the principles of natural Justice as it does not provide adequate time for compliance and lacks a structured mechanism for regularisation, as mandated under sections 169, 170, 312, and 313 of the MMC Act, 1888,” the letter adds.

“Water is a fundamental right but such bureaucratic hurdles are creating unnecessary burden for the residents in M/East ward which is already dealing with inadequate infra. Furthermore, the notice coincides with Ramadan making it even more difficult for residents to complete the formalities,” said local resident Faiyaz Alam Shaikh.

Meanwhile, responding to questions, a senior BMC official said that the civic body will extend its deadline, before suspending water supply. “If we find that there are any unauthorised connections, we will revoke water connections in the area. However, since people have appealed and in view of Ramadan, we plan to extend our deadline,” an official told The Indian Express.

Situated along the eastern suburbs of the city, the M/East ward is amongst the largest residential hubs of the Low Income Groups (LIGs). Data from the BMC shows that two years since it rolled out its ‘Water for All’ policy in 2022, the BMC has granted 7,868 water connections until December 2024 and over 15,375 permissions have been granted for water connections.

Aimed at providing equitable water supply, the policy seeks to grant water connections to all residents of slums, unauthorised non-slums, goathan and Koliwada places.