Easier norms for digging borewells

“Usually taking approval is a long process and it is very difficult to furnish all the details under the current rules,” said Pravin Shah,BJP corporator.

Under the current norms,a proposal to dig a borewell requires a range of requirements to be fulfilled,including a Electrical Resistivity Test (ERT) report by Schlumberger Layout method from MCGM qualified Geologist or a Geotechnical Engineer of Government indicating depth of proposed borewell,yield and variation in water table,if any and effect on existing borewells in the vicinity; recommendations regarding recharging if needed,receipt of payment made towards latest water charges bills should be submitted and other such details.

The BMC contractors do not have to go through the tiresome process which the residents are made to go through,said Pravin Chedda,a BJP corporator.

The BMC had issued an order in April that it was mandatory to secure BMC’s permission to dig borewells in the city. Also citizens are liable to punishment if the correct procedure is not followed,the order had said.

The order came after three persons fell into a borewell in Mahim and died. At present,there are 6,986 borewells across the city.