Ironically, the civic administration had on Thursday said that there won't be the scheduled 20 per cent water cut on Friday, in view of Bakrid, after Muslim leaders met the municipal commissioner.
Residents of Ibrahim Rahimtulla Road, Abdul Rehman Street, Mohammed Ali Road, Carnac Bunder and neighbouring areas woke up to a rude shock on the day of Eid al-Adha on Friday; the corporation pipelines were running dry and there was no power either. Efforts by political parties' local leaders and repeated calls to civic offices fell on deaf ears as the relief eluded citizens till noon.
Ironically, the civic administration had on Thursday said that there won't be the scheduled 20 per cent water cut on Friday, in view of Bakrid, after Muslim leaders met the municipal commissioner.
The power went off at around 5.15 am when the water supply timings was around the same time. "We got panicked in the morning itself, for without water our festival is spoiled. We then tried to contact our corporator Waqarunissa Ansari, but to our dismay she was not picking up the calls. We got frantic and tried to contact civic offices, but in vain," said a resident of Dongri area.
And all this confusion was happening at a time when they should be preparing for the morning namaz (at 6.50 am), which they have to perform before qurbaani (the sacrifice – around 7.30 to 7.45 am). "Houses are small and have less storage capacity. And on a day when we require more water, there was no water at all. After qurbaani, we require water for cleaning and washing," pointed out a resident from Mohammed Ali Road.
Nobody in the area had clue as to what was happening. As time inched towards namaz, residents started feeling that they won't be getting water on Friday. While some started placing order with private water tanker operators – though at exorbitant prices – a few still pinned hopes on their political representatives.
"Nobody knew what was happening. It was total mismanagement on part of the BMC. We faced acute water shortage during Ramzan, and the situation on Friday was even worst. We met Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner, on Thursday to request for adequate water supply and he assured us the same. Even then, I had personally called Ahosk Tavadia, hydraulic engineer of the BMC yesterday evening and even reminded him at late night. But after all these efforts, BMC let us down. They didn't respect our sentiments," said Amin Patel, local MLA.
Residents said though power was restored in a few hours, there was no water supply. "Then suddenly someone informed us post noon that water was supplied between 11 and 11.30 am. Only a few who knew could collect water and they said the water force was minimal and didn't serve much purpose," said a resident.
Amin Patel said during Ramzan too, he had requested BEST authorities to install additional transformer so that the power doesn't trip. But that has been not done till date. "In the morning people use all lights and other electrical devices, including motor to pump water. This results in power tripping. Dip in water level at Bhandarwada reservoir compounded the problem on Friday.
It was total mismanagement on part of the BMC. We faced acute water shortage during Ramzan, and the situation on Friday was even worst – Amin Patel, local MLA
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