The eastern and western suburbs of the city would continue to struggle with the water problems even after the much-needed Middle Vaitarna dam project to provide additional supply,is completed in 2012. The reason: unprecedented population growth - up to six per cent in 13 zones of the city. The new development projects in these zones will receive a water supply of only 45 litres per person per capita instead of the 90 litres,while slum areas will not be given any new connections. The BMC has identified these areas as: K wards (Andheri,Vile Parle,Goregaon),R wards (Kandivli till Dahisar),P wards (Goregaon- Malad),M wards (Govandi,Chembur,Anushakti nagar),L wards (Kurla),N wards (Ghatkopar,Vikhroli,Powai),S ward (Mulund) and T ward (Mulund). In the white paper prepared on the existing water situation and the proposed policies,the water department has said that in the last three decades from 1971 to 2001,the western suburban areas of P zone from Goregaon to Malad have seen a three-time growth in population,while residents in R zone from Kandivli to Dahisar have grown six times. Civic officials have raised concerns and have said that unless the development projects and Floor Space Index (FSI) grant is revised in the suburbs,water supply will only deteriorate in these areas. Moreover,the infrastructure has been strained due to Transfer of Developmental Rights,additional FSI and concentration of the Slum Rehabilitation Projects. As a damage control measure,the white paper has recommended that slum areas will not be given new connections and existing legal slum dwellers will only be given authorized connections. Residents of the newly-developed buildings in these 13 zones will also receive 45 liters per person per capita instead of 90 litres ,which has already been brought down from the national norm of 150 litres . Elected representatives have till now refused to take any decision on the pre-paid water metres for illegal slum dwellers and officials said no new connection is the only option. The additional FSI from the island city can only be used to the North,this rule also spurred in the development in the western suburbs. In the eastern suburbs the development of residential projects on the industrial plots on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road expedited growth in the N,S and T wards. The report says that due to unforeseen growth and development in these areas the planned water supply projects have become futile. Although efforts were made for re-zoning and reducing the supply time from the areas which receive adequate water to increasing it in the trouble areas and other temporary measures,the civic administration has said these will also be ineffective due to the permission of redevelopment of cessed buildings (those before 1940). All this rapid and unexpected growth has added pressure on the basic infrastructure and confusion regarding the amount of water to be supplied. It has also created a dispute situation amongst citizens and corporators, the report says. Till additional water sources are augmented,the satisfaction level among citizens will only reduce. Deputy municipal commissioner (water supply projects) Pramod Charankar said that the water problems in these areas will remain the same even after water sources are augmented. Middle Vaitarna project will not make much of a difference in these areas, he said. The Rs 1,600-crore Middle Vaitarna dam project will provide 455 million litres per day (mld) water in the existing 3,450 mld supply in 2012. The demand at present stands at 4,250 mld. However,leakages and thefts are the reasons for the shortage. With rising population and increasing demand in the number of high rises,re-development and other real estate projects,the BMC has projected that it will be another 12 years till Mumbaikars can enjoy adequate water supply without facing cuts.
