City's water stock situation continues to be grim and has become worse than 2012's, when the city experienced year-round water cut. Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta has asked assistant commissioners of all 24 wards to activate their vigilance squads and plug water leakages and curb water theft in the city.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

It is estimated that at least 20-25% water loss is reported due to leakages and theft, along with distribution losses.

Mehta has instructed the water department and assistant commissioners to take extra care to ensure that no leakages are left unchecked and that water is not wasted. "The commissioner insisted that all leakages, even the smallest, be repaired, so that they don't develop into big ones, wasting water. He was very serious about it and has asked us to be sincere in our approach. We are also supposed to look into water theft; vigilance squads will be activated at the ward level," said an assistant commissioner.

Mehta has also given a strict instruction that no water discrimination should be done by ward offices, ie no area should be given preference, depriving the others. "We have been asked to come up with a solution to address the issue of water pressure and ensure that even far-end areas of the wards receive enough water," said a civic official.

Besides this, standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse has asked the education department to start 'Save Water' lesson in schools. Phanse said children can be great flag-bearers and spread the message in their families, friends, relatives and neighbourhood.Taking stockWater stock in lakes and reservoirs supplying water to the city as on September 1 in the last five years9,88,015 million litres in 201513,98,560 million litres in 201412,59,577 million litres in 201310,22,990 million litres in 201212,10,158 million litres in 2011