Nitesh Rane launches toll-free number to fight Mumbai's water mafia

Maharashtra revenue minister Narayan Rane's son Nitesh Rane, president of Swabhimaan Sanghatana, today unveiled a toll free number to curb water theft in Mumbai.
    
"An enormous amount is charged by private water tankers to supply water across Mumbai," Nitesh told reporters here.
    
"As opposed to the BMC rate of water tankers which is between Rs160 and Rs200, the private water tankers are charging a minimum of Rs1200 and at times, a whopping Rs4000," he said, adding this was extortion of the common man.
    
The Swabhimaan Sanghatana has issued a letter to the president of Water Tanker Suppliers Association to reduce their rates, Nitesh said. "If our demands are not met, we will launch an agitation," he said.
    
The toll free number '1800-200-9837' will help citizens of Mumbai to fight the water mafia, he said. In the summer, common man would suffer more, he added.
    
"The water mafia is hand-in-glove with the BMC, otherwise how is it possible for them to have so much of a leeway," he said. If a common man sees water theft or water mafia machinery working, they should call on this toll-free number, he added.