Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation has said that there would be no rise in water cuts
in the city till mid July but it might decrease after monsoon.
"Our agenda is to come out of the water crisis
situation. We are continuously monitoring the lake levels and
till mid-July there will be no rise in water cuts. Even after,
we do not intend to increase the water cuts. The cuts will
either remain or be decreased," Deputy Municipal Commissioner
Dinesh Gondaliya told a news agency here.
Due to scanty rainfall last year, the civic body had
imposed water cuts since last June. Presently, residential and
commercial users are facing 15 and 30 per cent water cuts
respectively.
"If the intensity and regularity of rainfall is
exceptionally good, then lake levels will rise steadily and
accordingly we can think about reducing the cut," Gondaliya
said.
At present, the lakes have a total available stock of
1,01,721 million litres per day (mld) against 2,45,343 mld
last year.
BMC has said it will be able to supply 2,900 mld till
July 15. 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.
"The current water stock will continue to supply 2,900
mld till mid-July. Once it rains lakes may take time to fill
up because the land in the catchment areas is totally dry and
so it will first get saturated. Also, levels are extremely low
so lakes will take more days to get filled up," he explained.
The monsoon is expected to hit Mumbai by June 10.
"This situation is definitely an eye-opener for both
BMC and the people. We had to come up with ideas and
initiatives and for the people it was like understanding the
importance of water and saving it," Gondaliya said.
He further said, "it is good to see the awareness
among people today and I hope it continues."
PTI
