BMC to provide slums with water, elecrticity

Shiv Sena corporator Ram Mhatre had said providing these facilities would ensure that insanitary conditions did not prevail in slums. However, an official of the Slum Improvements Department claimed that these facilities were already in place. “It is our duty to ensure that these facilities are provided to every citizen. We have now extended them even to slums on non-Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation land, even though we are not duty-bound to do so,” he stated.

However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will not provide water and electricity in the public toilets it has constructed. As per an order issued by the commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in October, slum residents using the toilets will have to take the responsibility of maintaining them. The commissioner had stated in the order, “It is true that the toilet blocks constructed in slums are dirty and unhygenic due to lack of water. However, it is necessary to ensure the active participation of slum residents, who should take over the responsibility of maintaining water charges and electricity bills.” He said metered water connections and electricity would be provided in the name of the secretary of the slums which have formed societies only if residents came forward and approached the corporation.