Facing 40% cuts, MBMC taps social media for save water drive

MIRA-BHAYANDAR ROUND UP

Facing an imminent water cut the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has planned a mass awareness drive, including the use of social media, to spread the message of water conservation in the twin-city.

In an official communication, the State Irrigation Department, has hinted imposition of 40 % water, this owing to a significant decrease in the stock of water available in the supply sources.

Of the two dams that supply water to Mira-Bhayandar, the water levels in Andhra and Barvi Dams have been recorded at 42 and 66 % respectively. “We are in receipt of an letter from the irrigation department and a decision on imposing the quantum of water cut will be taken soon,” confirmed a MBMC official. When contacted MBMC Mayor Geeta Jain said, “Going by the current scenario, a water cut is inevitable. However in order to ensure proper water management till next monsoon, we are into the process of chalking out an elaborate “Save Water” awareness campaign in the twin-city.”

Apart from reaching out to students and housing societies with lectures and pamphlets, the MBMC also plans to turn to social media platforms, including WhatsApp

and Facebook by sending out messages and emails to spread the word. “The basic intention is to make people realise that it is our collective responsibility as a city to make minimal use of water since we haven't received adequate

rainfall this year,” said civic chief-Achyut Hange.

As against the requirement of 175 mld, the twin-city which sprawls across 79.4 sq.km with a populace of more than 10 lakh has a total supply of 136 mld out of which 86 mld comes from Shahad Temghar (STEM) water supply authority and the remaining 50 mld from the MIDC.