Mumbai Water Crisis: BMC Suspends Notices To Well Owners Till June 15 Amid Tanker Strike; MWTA Seeks Written Assurance
Mumbai: Following directives from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has suspended notices issued to well and borewell owners until June 15. However, obtaining a CGWA NOC remains mandatory.
However, despite Friday’s high-level meeting, Mumbai’s water tanker crisis continues, as the Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA) has refused to resume services without a written assurance and relief from certain stringent conditions.
Mumbai’s water crisis has intensified as tanker operators suspend services in protest against a BMC directive requiring private well owners to obtain NOCs from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). Without compliance, existing groundwater extraction permissions face cancellation.
To address the issue, BJP leader and MLC Pravin Darekar met Union Jal Shakti Minister Chandrakant Patil at Bandra-Kurla Complex on Friday, joined by a tanker association representative and a civic official. The meeting focused on regulatory concerns, but ended without a resolution, prolonging the crisis.
While talking to media Darekar said, "The issue was discussed in the meeting. We’ve found a way to resolve it. NOCs can be applied for online, and applicants will be allowed to use groundwater while awaiting approval,”
However, Amol Mandre, treasurer of the MWTA, countered this optimism. “We received no concrete assurance. Our main concern about maintaining a 200-square-meter area around groundwater sources hasn’t been addressed. Where can we find such space in Mumbai? This issue only exists here. How can we resume tanker operations until this is resolved," said Mandre.
As per sources, "In the meeting it was discussed that applicants could continue using groundwater for 60 days while their NOC is processed." However, tanker operators remain unconvinced.
“Our core issue remains unresolved. Even with 60 days, how do we manage the 200 square meter requirement around groundwater sources? It’s not practical in Mumbai," said MWTA. In 2023, tanker operators had stopped their services due to similar issue for six days.
The ongoing water tanker strike continues to impact Mumbai, with disruptions in several key construction projects. The BMC’s road concretisation work has been affected at certain locations, and the Mumbai Coastal Road project, which requires water for the construction of the promenade and Haji Ali underground parking facility, has experienced minor setbacks due to the strike. However, Muncipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani reassured, stating, “There’s no impact on BMC projects. Contractors will manage the situation.”
Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray has issued an ultimatum to the BMC, warning them to resolve the issue within the next two days or face a morcha at every civic ward office. Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray said, “Housing societies and infrastructure projects are suffering due to this strike. These tankers provide essential water where there is a shortage.”
Meanwhile, Fadnavis has directed the BMC to immediately resolve the matter and ensure that citizens do not face water scarcity, especially during the summer season. "I have instructed Municipal Commissioner to urgently find a balanced solution between the revised regulations and the demands of the tanker operators, ensuring that the common public does not suffer."
Patil acknowledged the issues and directed CGWA to simplify the online single-window system ‘Bhu-Neer’ for obtaining the required NOC for groundwater extraction. He also emphasised the need to increase public awareness about the system and provide assistance to those facing difficulties.
Tanker Capacity: 500 litres to 20,000 litres
Number of Tankers: 1,800 to 2,500 (provide non - potable water from ring wells and Borewells)
Mumbai's Water Requirement: 4,463 million litres per day (MLD)
Municipal Supply: 3,950 MLD
Supply through Tankers: 250 - 300 MLD
Ground water sources in Mumbai - 800
Fines on tankers if without NOC - Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000.
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