BMC may have to dip into its reserves

45 per cent water stock in Mumbai lakes

Winter is making its exit and, as temperatures are rising, fears of water shortage are bubbling to the surface.

A part of the problem is that as it gets hotter, there will be evaporation in the seven lakes supplying water to the city. Though BMC officials claim there will no more water cuts, the fact is the current live water stock in the seven lakes is at just 45 per cent.

Also, the BMC has already enforced a 10 per cent water cut, which it may increase in the coming weeks.Ashok Tawadiya, chief engineer, hydraulic department, BMC, said, “45 per cent is the live water stock in the seven lakes --Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, and Bhatsa - which supply water to Mumbai. So far, no decision on further water cuts has been taken. Every month we hold a meeting to discuss the action plan and whether the cuts are to be increased. However, the live water stock is still in use, so the reserves have not been touched. We are hoping the current reserves will see us through July.” The Vaitarna system (Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Modak Sagar and Tansa) has 1.24 lakh million litre reserve water stock, while in Bhatsa, it is 2.25 lakh million litres. Leader of Opposition from Congress in BMC, Ravi Raja said, “They should have made adequate provisions for storage and protection of water. There is only 45 per cent water storage in our lakes; factor in the leaks in pipelines and the pilferage; then, the situation is very alarming. BMC should have

fixed the leaks which cause more than 10 to 13 per cent water loss.” Shiv Sena corporator and Standing committee chairman, Yashwant Jadhav, said, “I have called a meeting of officials from the Hydraulic Department on February 15, wherein we will discuss the measures we need to take.” Meanwhile, an Indian Meteorological Department official said that it is too early to predict summer temperatures and duration at such an early stage.