Mumbai Water Crisis: BMC Invokes Disaster Act As Tanker Strike Enters 4th Day

From slum settlements to high-end residential complexes, from commercial establishments to hospitals and from all government offices to construction sites in Mumbai reeled under severe water crisis as the government authorities failed to find a solution to end the strike called by Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA). As the strike entered its fourth day on Sunday and MWTA stayed adamant to not resume services, the Municipal Corporation decided to invoke Disaster Management Act, 2005 and took over operations of all water tankers and borewells in city. 

This comes as a sign of relief to residents and office goers of Mumbai as they can hope to recieve tanker water supply to meet their daily needs. Apart from regular water supplied by the BMC, the MWTA supplies around 300 MLD water to Mumbai on daily basis, with around 3000 water tankers under them.

MWTA had announced an indefinite suspension of services from April 10 as a mark of protest against notices sent by BMC to implement the 2020 guidelines of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), which mandates then to obtain no objection certificate. "We do not want to go to jail. It is not possible in the city like Mumbai to ensure all guidelines. Also, why notices are not issued in jurisdiction of Mira Bhayandar, Navi Mumbai and other cities," MWTA spokesperson Ankur Thakur said.

The BMC Commissioner also suspended the notices until June 15, however, MWTA want the notices to be revoked and not suspended. "If we budge now, what after June 15? Once the monsoon starts nothing can be done. We demand CM Devendra Fadnavis and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to represent our demands to central government, give us in writing and hold a meeting in person. If Fadnavis' hold a meeting we will resume services," Thakur said.

Speaking with the FPJ, Gagrani said, "Taking the demands to Government of India by way of letter is not a problem at all. I will write. But about the meeting, only the chief minister will have to decide."

The statement issued by the BMC on Sunday said that CM Fadnavis has directed to have immediate solution on implementation of CGWA guidelines and demands of MWTA. Union minister CR Patil has also facilitated a single window system to obtain the NOCs, while the notices are also suspended till June 15. However, despite this the protestors have not called of their strike. Considering the summer season and  severity of water crisis, the BMC decided to invoke Disaster Management Act, 2005 in larger public interest.

The BMC has laid SOPs where a team at BMC ward level in coordination with the Mumbai Police and Transport Commissioner will ensure smooth water supply in Mumbai.

• MWTA has around 3000 tankers

• 300 MLD water supplied daily 

• MWTA says they have 12 lakh workers including drivers, cleaners and managers

  SOPs laid down by the BMC:

• Procuring drivers, cleaners and other staff for tanker water supply 

• Joint notification by Disaster Management department and Legal Department. Accordingly, transport Commisioner will deploy necessary vehicles, drivers and cleaners at BMC ward level

• Private housing societies who require water tankers should register at Facility Centres at ward offices and pay the amount 

• Tanker will be sent to water filling point and then to respectively housing societies 

• Necessary police protection at each tanker filling point 

• Deputy Municipal Commissioner and Deputy Police Commissioners should monitoring smooth services in their jurisdiction