Mumbai: As a remedy to resolve water woes of
the city, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) on Thursday announced its decision to impose zone-wise 24-hour water cut once-a-week on pilot basis, for two weeks starting mid-January.
"We will impose zone-wise 24-hour water cut once-a-week
from mid-January on pilot basis. We will do this for first two
weeks and based on its results will decide whether it should
be taken ahead or not," Municipal Commissioner Swadhin
Kshatriya said.
With this cut we expect that those staying at the fag end
of the city will get water adequately during that period, he
said.
Though the MCGM today declared that it will impose such a
cut, before going ahead with this move it needs consent from
Group Leaders.
"We will try our best to convince them as it for the
betterment of Mumbaikars. It is essential to impose this cut
because we will save some water which will help us in the long
run," Kshatriya said.
A Congress corporator said, "we do not have any objection
with this zone-wise 100 per cent water cut once-a-week as it
will be done on pilot basis. We will come to whether the
corporation has succeeded or not in its move only after its
implementation."
Even though the MCGM is keen on implementing this cut, it
is yet to work out the details of its plan.
"We have not worked out on the exact details of the plan
like - from which date and day it will be imposed, which zone
and how much water it is going to save," Kshatriya said.
For implementing zoning system, MCGM has divided it into
seven zones - two in island city, two in western and three in
eastern suburbs.
A decision in this regard was expected taken in Group
Leaders meeting early this week, but it was put on hold.
Corporators had said suggestions and opinion from public
must be taken, explain why the cut is necessary and create
more awareness on saving water.
MCGM is planning to meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan soon
to urge the state government to release more water from Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna to resolve water woes of the city.
A population of over 1.25 crore receives 3,450 MLD of
water against the demand of 4,500 MLD, meaning a shortfall of 1050 MLD. At present, with 15 and 30 per cent water for
residential and commercial users respectively, city receives
2,900 MLD water.
Due to scanty rainfall and depleting water levels in
city`s lakes, MCGM had imposed water cuts since June 8.
Talking about the complaint filed by actor Hrithik
Roshan`s secretary Ashok Vasodia at BMC K/West Ward office
yesterday of contaminated water, Kshatriya said, "we will
enquire about it and soon get it rectified."
PTI
