Mumbai: Parched societies, buildings to get water supply back

In good news for Royal Palms residents, and many other establishments, the face-off between Mumbai Water Tanker Association and the state government over implementation of a Union government order on ground water ended on Tuesday. The state has assured the association that it will write to the Centre and the Central Ground Water Authority about the hurdles faced by tanker bodies. The government further assured that no punitive action will be taken against tankers till the issue is resolved. In view of this, representatives of the association said that they would hold a meeting before resuming water supply.

Water supply through tankers was hampered since February 9 as the police implemented the Union government order. The Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) said that they had to stop supplying water as it was not possible for them to follow the strict guidelines of the order. They added that they would face action if they carried out their business in violation of the order. mid-day in a series of reports on Monday and Tuesday highlighted the plight of the residents who are dependent on tankers for water supply as well as the stance of tanker bodies.

Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha along with other officials held a meeting with representatives of Mumbai Water Tanker Association at Mantralaya on Tuesday. Pic/By Arrangement

In view of the public outcry on this issue, Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha called a meeting on Tuesday afternoon at his office in Mantralaya. The meeting was attended by Mumbai Suburban Collector Nidhi Choudhari, Additional Police Commissioner (South) Dilip Sawant along with MWTA office-bearers including President Jasbir Singh Bira, Vice-President Jitu Shah, Secretary Rajesh Thakur, among others.

Also Read: Taps run dry at girl's hostel, as tanker crisis hits Mumbai University's Kalina campus

Lodha listened to the issues raised by the representatives of the tanker body and assured that the state government will soon correspond with the Central authorities concerned. He also said that no punitive action will be taken against tankers till that time. "The sudden shutdown of water tankers is causing great inconvenience to Mumbaikars. It is wrong to deprive people of a basic need like water in such a manner. Therefore, the association should start supplying water immediately," Lodha said.

After this meeting, MWTA delegates along with Lodha met Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis assured that the issues raised by the tanker body would be resolved as per rules and urged it to start water supply. MWTA secretary Thakur said, "As per the appeal of the deputy chief minister, water supply will be resumed after holding a meeting of all tanker owners in Goregaon late in the evening."

Residents of Royal Palms Estate show the victory sign as the deadlock over water supply came to an end on Tuesday

He added, "All of our committee members are grateful to mid-day for highlighting our genuine problems. I reiterate again that we were not on a strike. We had to stop our services as it was not feasible for us to stick to the strict guidelines."

Residents rejoice

mid-day had in a front-page report on Monday highlighted the plight of around 15,000 residents of 38 societies in the plush Royal Palms Estate. As majority of the buildings here do not have BMC water connection, the residents completely depend on water tankers. With the halt in supply, the residents were inconvenienced. Facing the water crisis, some were even forced to leave to stay with relatives or friends. As the deadlock ended on Tuesday, the residents thanked mid-day for bringing their voice to the notice of officials.

Citing that the situation was terrible for them for the past six days, Kiran Paigankar said, "Thank you mid-day for approaching us to help at a time when we were completely helpless." His neighbour Rajesh Singh said, "Given the water crisis that we witnessed this time, I think the civic body should seriously consider supplying water to us soon."

Ravjit Kohli, who along with her husband and daughter had left their flat and went to stay with a relative on Sunday, said, "I am grateful to mid-day for bringing our plight to the notice of the authorities. We can still deal with the bad road in Aarey Colony leading to Royal Palms, but one cannot live without water. Thanks to mid-day for seeing that the water supply is back." Her neighbour Gunjan Pandey said, "The WhatsApp group of Royal Palms residents is buzzing with the mid-day reports. Thank you for highlighting our issues."

Another resident Ali Ghasiya said, "I have been reading mid-day for years and after the paper reported on our issues regarding water, I was hopeful for a resolution. I am thankful that you raised our concerns. As always, mid-day has again worked for the people."