Bhayandar: Despite the much-publicised assurances by the BJP-rulers in the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) of rolling back the imposed water-cuts and augment the existing supply in the twin-city by 35 MLD, the state government seems to be treading cautiously before making any such commitments.
In an official communication to his counterparts in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), deputy executive engineer of Irrigation Dept (Kalwa-Thane) has given an in-principle no-objection for the temporary release of 20 MLD, belying the tall claims by BJP legislator Narendra Mehta. The BJP-rulers had recently issued a press release stating the 20% water-cut imposed in the twin-city will be rolled back from July 10 on the virtue of the assurance by the government authorities to augment the quantum of water supply by 35 MLD, which the MBMC receives from the MIDC.
Moreover, the irrigation dept has not mentioned a word, nor hinted about its plans of rolling back the water-cuts. As against the requirement of over 225 MLD, the twin-city with a population of over 14 lakh has a total supply of 176 MLD provided jointly by the MIDC and STEM water supply authority. However, due to leaks, unaccounted supply and theft, the actual supply hovers at 170 MLD on average.
While water is supplied once in 32-35 hours, shutdowns and cuts add to the woes by limiting supply to once in 50 hours. A team of Mayor Dimple Mehta, civic chief Balaji Khatgaonkar, legislator Narendra Mehta and engineer Shivaji Barkund had met Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan and Industries Minister Subhash Desai last week, seeking rollback on cuts and to better supply.
