Vigilant residents in Andheri alert BMC

In what is clearly ironical, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on one hand has been talking about the need for Mumbaikars to save every drop of water, on the other hand it has been ignoring residents of Andheri (east) who have formed a group to alert the civic body about water leakages in K/East ward.

A few years ago, citizens had formed a WhatsApp group in which keep posting images as well as details of water leakages spotted by them. Staffs from K/East ward too were part of the group until recently.

"Earlier BMC was proactive in fixing leakages and save a huge quantity of water from being wasted. However, the new BMC officials who have taken charge are not interested in being a part of the group. We had requested them for a meeting so that we can explain to them about this initiative and add them to this group. We are yet to receive any confirmation," said James John from AGNI and coordinator of citizen groups in K/East ward.

He added that despite the absence of BMC officials in the group, citizens are posting pictures of sites where water leakages — both above and below the surface — were spotted.

"We, as citizens, are trying our best to help the BMC. At times when the city is staring at a possibility of water scarcity, plugging these leakages, which end up wasting almost 20 per cent of total water supply is the best way to prevent it. Hence, we are following up with BMC officials," James informed.

A senior BMC official said that there is an online mechanism to complain about the leakages apart from BMC's helpline number. "We have been resolving such complaints on regular basis," said the official.