The city is on the brink of a water crisis due to the cessation of tanker services by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) over civic body notices to private borewell owners to cease supplying water to tankers unless they obtain a fresh licence from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). The impact is already being felt across various sectors, including residential complexes, commercial establishments, construction projects, hospitals, and even the Railways, which rely on these private water tankers for various purposes.

In Mumbai, private water tankers are an essential resource for several purposes beyond residential use, including Metro and Coastal Road projects, maintenance of public infrastructure and railway operations such as train coach cleaning. During a similar strike in 2023, the city faced a severe crisis, and now, with the current protest underway, stakeholders are rushing to put contingency plans in place.