Mumbai is implementing a 10 per cent cut in water supply even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has proposed spending Rs 8.25 crore on a large-scale road-washing exercise.
Under the plan, 377 roads spanning nearly 677 kilometres across the city would be cleaned. The estimated cost covers both the washing work and the arrangement of water tankers.
Civic officials have stated that only recycled water, and not drinking water, would be used for the drive in order to conserve potable supplies. Despite this clarification, the proposal has drawn criticism in light of the ongoing water shortage.
Standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde has sought an explanation from the administration. He questioned the priority given to road-washing at a time when the city is already facing supply restrictions and stressed that meeting citizens’ basic water needs should take precedence.
The 10 per cent cut was directed by Maharashtra’s Water Resources Minister for all urban local bodies from October 16. The measure follows deficit rainfall linked to the El Nino effect and forms part of efforts to stretch available reserves until the end of August 2027.
Drought conditions have been declared in 265 talukas. Local bodies have been instructed to intensify efforts to detect and repair leakages and to operate sewage treatment plants at full capacity. Treated wastewater is to be restricted to uses such as gardening, construction and washing. Agricultural allocation will prioritise human, livestock and fodder requirements first, with remaining water directed mainly towards winter cereal and fodder crops. Micro-irrigation and other water-saving techniques are being promoted, while industrial units have been asked to recycle and reuse at least 30 per cent of their water consumption.