For domestic users,supply cut halved

With the catchment areas receiving heavy rainfall for the last few days,the BMC on Wednesday announced 50% reduction in the water cut. Till now,there was a 30% water cut in the city due to less rainfall in the lakes—Tansa,Modak Sagar,Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa— which are located in Thane and Shahapur. Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said the corporators have urged the civic body to reduce the water cut in view of good rainfall.

“After a review,it is found that there is enough water for 120 days after rise in water level in the lakes. So we can reduce the cut,” he said. In the last two days,water storage has increased from 3,15,650 million litres to 3,72,140 million litres.

If the lake levels continue to rise and water overflows,the 15% cut will also be withdrawn. However,Phatak said the water situation still needs to improve and therefore the BMC will be going ahead with the cloud seeding experiment.

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A delegation of Congress- NCP members,which met Phatak,has also demanded a 30% cut in the water bills.

“If the bills are not reduced,we will appeal residents not to pay the money,” said Mumbai Congress Region chief Kripa Shankar Singh.