Mumbai: Corporators fear acute water crisis if monsoon gets delayed

The standing committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rocked over the dipping level of lakes that supply water to the city. With only 16.79 per cent usable water content available in all lakes, authorities fear that the city may face acute water shortage in the days to come.

While the civic administration assured that there is sufficient water to meet demands until July-end, the members of the committee voiced their concerns as many areas of the city are being supplied with water at a very low pressure.

Ravi Raja, Congress corporator and leader of opposition in the BMC said that the civic body does not have a plan to meet the demand for water in future. “If there is a delay in the arrival of monsoon or if rainfall is not sufficient in catchment areas, the civic body will have a tough time to meet the demand for water this year and even in the next year,” Raja said.

A BJP member in the house committee claimed that areas like Vile Parle, Jogeshwari, and Andheri East in the western suburbs is getting water at a low pressure.

Shiv Sena corporator Sujata Sanap said that her area is being supplied with muddy water supply for the past few days. She also showed photographs of muddy water in the committee meeting.

Ashok Tawadiya, chief engineer of the Hydraulic Engineering Department of the BMC said they have made sufficient arrangements to meet demands until July-end.