Mumbai: This Friday, prepare to face severe water shortage

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The BMC has decided to cut water supply to the western suburbs on Friday in lieu of the major pipeline repairs that they are planning to undertake.

As per as report by Mumbai Mirror, the BMC is undertaking the mammoth task of increasing the diameter of the Mahim tunnel shaft. Apart from that, they will also conduct a structural audit of the Malabar Hill Reservoir and replace the outlet valves at Dhobi Talai. The repairs are planned to start at 10am in Friday and will continue till 10am on Sunday. During this period the water tunnels connecting Maroshi-Vakola-Mahim-Rupare-Racecourse will be shut down.

In a statement to TOI the hydraulic engineer for the BMC, Ashok Tawadia, said, "We are going to take up some major pipeline works in the city area. One is a structural audit of Malabar Hill Reservoir, where one compartment of the water body will be isolated. We will provide butterfly valves at Mahim cabin and replace an old valve at Dhobi Talao. All these repair works will need time and hence, we need to disconnect water supply to various wards in the city and the Western suburbs for 24 hours. Hence, residents should use water judiciously."

Also Read: Central and South Mumbai to face water cuts on December 23

While this might be a good move by the BMC, the residents of these areas don't seem to be too happy with the water cut. As per Bandra corporator Swapna Mhatre, there will be no water tankers available easily, especially in the Bandra-Khar-Santacruz region. And citizens will have to make arrangements on Thursday itself. Residents also felt that the BMC should have informed them in advance of the proposed water cut, as it would have helped them prepare better.

A resident of Bandra, Anil Joseph, told TOI, "The BMC's hydraulic department should have informed people much in advance as there will be no water tanker that day. If urgent repairs have to be carried out, then BMC should have made provision for sending the tankers to those localities where people are willing to purchase water. This will certainly inconvenience residents. I think we will have to go to relatives' houses outside Bandra or just plan a trip during the weekend."

Also Read: Mumbai: No need of water cut this summer, says BMC

Places that will be affected:

A ward

Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, Backbay, Fort, Ballard Pier, Colaba, Navy Nagar, Boribunder/Saboo Siddique Road, Bombay Hospital, Pasta lane; and B ward's Dongri B, Narsi Natha Street, Abdul Rehman Street and Mohammed Ali Road