Rain pain still fresh,summer woes begin

With summer in,the problem is felt acutely.

“Building plans being rapidly cleared show waterlines but whether they actually supply adequate water is never checked and the structures come up and in no time housing societies have to depend on tankers. We have placed our proposal before the civic body so that all building plans are thoroughly checked,” said Lonkar.

Most of the nearly 200-250 housing societies do not get adequate water supply. Under the present system,32 MLD of water is supplied daily to Wanavadi and Kondhwa while another 12 MLD is required for Mitha Nagar and Shivneri Nagar.

Deputy engineer,Cantonment Waterworks, Sidesh Kadu said although the area receives 32 MLD,the uneven terrain,low and high areas,pose problems in proper supply. “While certain areas on the lower side get a good supply,the elevated areas do not get adequate pressure and have to depend on tankers,” said Kadu. Water is supplied to these areas from Baker’s Hill while the Mitha Nagar areas get their supply from Seminary Hill on Bibvewadi-Kondhwa Road.

Mitha Nagar area,where brisk construction activity has been going on,hardly gets any supply as the PMC which has to supply 12 MLD daily only gets about 7-8 MLD facing a shortfall of 4-5 MLD. “Presently there is shortage in water supply in these areas,” said Kadu.

The PMC is planning to lay down 12-inch pipelines as well as increase the present network of water lines through an allocation of Rs 10 lakh. Although there is no assured water supply reaching all elevated areas,an improvement is likely. “We have been trying to increase the width of the pipeline so that the elevated areas get more water supply,” said Lonkar.

According to a senior officer of the building plan department,the builder is supposed to give an affidavit stating that he/she would provide water supply to the society if there is not enough pressure in water lines or the plan does not fall in the water zone.

“People are not aware of this affidavit and they have to depend on tankers by paying from their own pockets,” officials of the department said.

A new civic plan makes it mandatory for the builder to show three storage places for non-water zone areas.

“They are supposed to show three tanks for PMC water,borewell water and tanker water for clearance of plans,” officials said. However,citizens are not aware of all this and are paying water tax in their property bills as well as shelling out huge sums for water supply through tankers,besides paying for water bought from shops.

“It is common in our area to buy water weekly as we have very poor water supply,” said Bodhi Vasu,a resident staying on NIBM Roads.

Another resident Ketan Shiralkar added,“It is the responsibility of the PMC and the builder to provide us water. However,we are footing huge bills for water supply. This is very unfair.”

Lonkar believes that the new 12-inch pipeline would provide respite to some areas until a new water tank comes up in the area.