Mumbai: ‘BMC releases water to us post midnight on some days!’

Mohini Sutar, manager of Trans Café (right) in Andheri

Even during the rainy season, residents of the old MHADA colony in Andheri West continue to face water shortages. Despite relying on tankers and bottled water, their regular complaints have fallen on deaf ears as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials turned a blind eye.

The BMC lifted a 10 per cent water cut in the first week of August. However, areas like the Old MHADA Colony still facing water problems. "The residents of the K West ward, which includes Andheri West, are fed up with the issue due to absurd and irregular water supply timings," said a MHADA colony resident.

Adding to the ongoing supply problems, a burst water pipeline at Adarsh Nagar has escalated the issue significantly. Sushiela Bhakkar, a resident of Shiv Kutir Society, filed a complaint on August 25 regarding this concern. She explained, "We've been facing this problem for years. Our water slot is around midnight, approximately 12 am. If water doesn't come on a particular day, it causes many issues. We've had to buy tanker water for our society. Previously, we ordered water tankers to keep our society tank filled."

Local shop and grocery store owners revealed that the sale of bottled water has surged, as it has become the sole source of clean drinking water for residents. Mohini Sutar, the manager of The Trans Café, said, "Just two days ago, we had to buy bottled water to flush the toilet in our café. The water release timings in our area are from 9 pm to 12 am, sometimes even delayed until 1 am. I live in Ghatkopar, so it's very challenging for me to fill the water tank at night, return home, and then come back for my shift the next morning. Despite all this, the water sometimes remains murky and unclean, adding to our difficulties."

The water supply situation has worsened over the past three days. Sources from St. Mary's High School reported that the school went without water for two days due to a burst pipeline in Adarsh Nagar. They continue to face low water supply issues. Further investigation revealed that the water supply problem extends beyond the Old MHADA colony to certain parts of Lokhandwala and Oshiwara regions.

An official from the waterworks department of the K West ward said, "I am not aware of any such issue in the area." He added, "We are dealing with numerous complaints right now, and tracking each one, especially those through WhatsApp, is challenging." Despite attempts, Prithviraj Chauhan, assistant commissioner of the K East ward, remained unresponsive. Purushottam Malavade, chief of the hydraulic engineering department of the BMC, said that he is unaware of the issue and mentioned that it would be resolved at the ward level.

1am
Time residents receive BMC water