Mumbai water cut: BMC asks engineers to address complaints, ensure equitable supply

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has directed its engineers to address complaints related to water supply by visiting the affected areas instead of attempting to resolve them from their officesAdditional Municipal Commissioner Projects Abhijit Bangar instructed officials to identify the root causes of complaints related to irregular water supply low pressure inadequate supply changes in distribution timings pipeline leakages and other technical issues and implement permanent solutions instead of temporary measuresldquoAfter receiving a complaint regarding water supply engineers should visit the site and identify the reasons behind the complaint Necessary action should be taken accordingly After the complaint is resolved they should interact with local residents and verify whether the water supply has been restoredrdquo Bangar saidThe directions were issued during a review meeting of the BMC Hydraulic Engineer Department held at the civic headquarters on Friday Deputy Municipal Commissioner Special Engineering Purushottam Malvade and Deputy Hydraulic Engineer Mangesh Shewale were present at the meeting along with executive engineers deputy engineers secondary engineers and assistant engineers from the departmentMumbai water supply remains under 10 per cent cutBangar said Mumbai received belowaverage rainfall in August 2026 and is also likely to receive belowaverage rainfall in SeptemberHe added that the citys water situation could be considered satisfactory only if the reservoirs supplying water to Mumbai have 100 per cent storage by September 30 As on Friday September 4 the water stock in the various reservoirs supplying Mumbai stood at around 95 per centldquoUntil then it is not possible to withdraw the 10 per cent water cut currently imposed across Mumbairdquo Bangar saidAgainst this backdrop he stressed the need for proper planning of the available water stock effective management of water supply and measures to ensure uninterrupted supply to citizensBMC told to address areas facing greater shortagesBangar said the 10 per cent water cut could particularly affect tailend settlements elevated areas and other sensitive locationsWhile some impact on water supply is expected due to the water cut he directed the Hydraulic Engineer Department to intervene immediately if residents experience a shortage of more than 10 per centldquoConsidering the water supply zone efforts should be made to provide water at full pressure on at least one day of the scheduled days so that adequate pressure can reach the tailend areasrdquo he saidHe also directed officials to inform elected representatives and citizens about the water cut currently in force and identify and rectify deficiencies in the distribution system without delay so that residents face minimal inconvenienceOfficials asked to regularly inspect affected areasBangar said civic officials and engineers need to approach watersupply issues with sensitivity and responsibilityHe directed officials to regularly inspect areas facing watersupply problems identify the reasons behind them and take necessary measures immediately The departments concerned should also coordinate with each other to address deficiencies in the watersupply systemOfficials were further asked to maintain regular communication with local elected representatives and give priority to watersupply problems brought to their noticeThe BMC said priority should be given to minimising inconvenience to citizens and ensuring equitable and effective distribution of the available waterAfter receiving a complaint the officials concerned should directly interact with residents to understand their problems resolve each complaint without delay and inform citizens about the action takenOfficials have also been directed to provide residents with clear and factual information about the current watersupply situation available alternative arrangements and measures being undertakenThe Hydraulic Engineer Department has been asked to regularly review watersupply conditions in different areas plan distribution as required address imbalances in supply and ensure effective implementation of the water distribution system