Mumbai Grapples with Water Shortages as Tanker Strike Hits Day Three

MUMBAI: The ongoing tanker operators’ strike in Mumbai has entered its third day, pushing residents to ration water as supplies dwindle. With municipal pipelines falling short and bottled water stocks nearly depleted, many are skipping laundry to prioritize drinking and cooking needs.

The Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA) launched the indefinite protest in response to notices from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which demanded that private well and borewell owners comply with the Central Ground Water Authority’s 2020 guidelines. Although the BMC suspended these notices for two months on Friday, the strike persists, disrupting water deliveries across the city.

MWTA spokesperson Ankur Sharma stated that the agitation would continue until authorities engage in talks and address the operators’ concerns. BMC officials were unavailable for comment.

The standoff has left housing societies, particularly in areas reliant on tankers, facing acute shortages. Corner stores report dwindling bottled water supplies, exacerbating fears of a worsening crisis if the strike drags on.