Politicians from Maharashtra have sought the intervention of the Centre after the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) went on an indefinite strike on Thursday in protest against the civic body’s recent notices to private ring well and borewell owners.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the operators to stop supplying water to tankers and obtain a fresh licence from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
In a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Maharashtra Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar said, “The BMC has issued multiple notices directing water tanker operators to obtain a CGWA license without prior consultation on terms and conditions. Despite ongoing discussions, local police and municipal officials are frequently harassing tanker operators leading to undue stress and disruption in essential water supply service. Given the urgency and significance of this matter, we kindly urge your esteemed office to facilitate discussion between central and state authorities to facilitate clear and practical guidelines for CGWA licensing.”
According to the latest CGWA guidelines, a licence would be issued to a well owner only if the well is situated on a land parcel having a minimum size of 200 square metres. Besides this, the guidelines also state that only one tanker can fill water from a well. The new guidelines also make it mandatory for every well operator to set up a flow meter for recording the flow of water.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray wrote on X, “The association has been protesting against the guidelines for Bulk Water Suppliers issued by the Central Ground Water Authority of the Govt of India. For the past 3 years, this issue has persisted and the Govt of Maharashtra hasn’t taken this up with the GoI. Today, Mumbaikars will suffer because of certain impractical guidelines made by those sitting in government of India offices in Delhi. I urge the BMC commissioner to hold a press conference and apprise Mumbaikars on BMC’s plan on the water woes.”
In Mumbai, water from tankers is used in residential societies as well as in ongoing public infrastructure works, such as the coastal road, metro, and bullet train projects. The water is also used for other important purposes like cleaning railway coaches and maintenance of public roads, lawns, and gardens.
The BMC supplies 3,850 million litre per day (MLD) of water against a demand of 4,200 MLD. As a result, the tankers continue to be an important source of water in Mumbai, particularly in informal settlements.
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