The BMC’s 20% water cut is taking a heavy toll on Mumbaikars, many of whom complain that the cuts are higher in reality.
One housing society in Andheri for instance, has to shell out Rs 1315 for each water tanker of 10,000 litres almost every day.
Green Tower Co-operative Housing Society, a 13-storey building with 126 flats, located at Gilbert Hill Lane, is facing an acute water shortage after the 20% water cuts came into force since August 26. The society requires three 10,000-litre tankers daily to meet the needs of its over 500 residents.
The society’s residents say water supply hardly lasts for 10 minutes in the morning and five minutes during evening. The chairman of the society, M A Khan said, “To overcome this difficulty we had to request the BMC to sanction water tankers. But the cost of each tanker is around Rs 1,300, so we are thinking about increasing the maintenance charges. To add to our misery, the bore well located in our building, from where water is supplied to the toilets, has also run dry.” The society has now sought permission to dig another bore well near the rear gate of the building.
Pramod Choudhari, a committee member who lives on the 10th floor of the tower, says residents even have to use bottled water for toilets. “We have never faced such a situation. Many residents are forced to go to clubs in the vicinity to use the toilet there. However, this is not feasible for senior citizens and children. The 20% water cut appears to be only on paper, while in reality it’s much more,” said Choudhari.
Residents of Juhu Koliwada village also face the same problem. Larson Fernandes, a resident, said water supply had no pressure at all since the cuts were imposed but on Tuesday they received no water. “Juhu is at the fag end of the water supply network and is hence facing an acute water shortage. But it’s difficult to believe that there is only a 20% water cut,” said Fernandes.
A senior official from K-West ward said supply at certain parts is affected during a water cut. “However our staff is visiting areas and taking corrective action. In case of Gilbert Hill, since it is a high area there are problems in water pressure,” said the official.
It is learnt that since the water quantum in the lakes this year was low, a 40% cut was initially proposed in the water supplied to the city from Bhatsa.