DNA Micro Edit: Poor response by citizens in ensuring water-tight policy

The BMC is set to roll out a new policy for water tankers in the city. A policy on water tankers in the city is a welcome move, as it comes amid allegations that the tanker mafia in the city has been operating with impunity.

Almost every year, residents have to rely on private water tankers to meet their requirements during the summer, when supply dips. Needless to say, water tankers make brisk business during the season. In such a scenario, there have been repeated allegations that the civic body is hand in glove with the water tanker mafia, and that residents have to pay the price.

The tanker mafia has been operating in the city for years. Unfortunately, residents, who are the most affected by the private water tanker mafia, did not even bother to respond in the window given for suggestions and objections to the new policy. BMC received less than 10 objections and suggestions on the draft policy. Some of these were not even related to the policy at all. Residents lost the opportunity given to them to help the civic body introduce a water-tight policy to bring the water tanker mafia under check. Instead of helping the BMC, some housing societies even make money by selling water from their wells illegally to the water mafia.

Though the civic body has made an initial effort to keep a vigil on tankers, Mumbaikars must play their part in the fight against the water tanker mafia by refusing to encourage their illegal activities.