Drought-like scene in Thane warns Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Friday observed that in ten years time, the situation in neighbouring Thane district would be like that of the Marathwada region which is suffering from severe water scarcity, if the local civic body and the government does not take proper steps.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G Kulkarni have directed the Thane Municipal Corporation and state government to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a Thane resident claiming severe shortage of water supply in various housing complexes.

The bench said "Developers will construct the buildings and flee, what will happen to the occupants of the flats. Is it not the responsibility of the corporation to supply water." Advocate VP Patil appearing for the petitioner Mangesh Shelar argued that housing societies are not getting 24 hours water supply and are forced to call for water tankers on a daily basis.

Complaints to civic body have fallen on deaf ears, he said. The bench while reprimanding the state and the corporation said, "Maharashtra is a welfare state. Providing water is the duty of the corporation and by not doing so, it seems a parallel water tanker economy is being promoted."

The PIL, relying on several media reports shows how societies are not getting enough water supply. It stated that proper water supply should be maintained and if not then corporation be directed to not issue occupation certificates.