Mumbai water crisis deepens: BMC invokes Disaster Management Act

MUMBAI: As water tankers' ‘indefinite break' entered the fourth day on Sunday, BMC invoked Disaster Management Act, 2005, to take control of all wells, borewells and private water tankers operating in Mumbai from Tuesday morning. Police can take action against their owners if they refuse to provide access.

BMC also established a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure water supply through tankers to housing societies and others affected by the strike. Societies will have to place their request at the ward office by submitting proof of their regular consumption and paying the fee.
The civic body's move made Mumbai Water Tankers Association dig in its heels as it warned that the stir will be extended to Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander.
This is the first time that BMC has invoked the Act—usually used in times of natural disasters—in such a situation owing to fears that with non-potable water not available, the pressure would fall on drinking water supply. Officials said with the advent of summer, higher dependence on potable water could lead to faster depletion of existing sources. BMC supplies 3,900 million litres per day (MLD) of potable water to the city and private tankers provide an additional 200 MLD.
Confirming that the Act has been invoked, BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said, "Filling of tankers is generally observed on specific private premises with high yielding wells. We will be requisitioning them." In a statement, BMC said the decision has been taken keeping broader public interest in mind.
Ankur Sharma, Mumbai Water Tankers Association's spokesperson, pointed out that if BMC takes over tankers and wells, then it, too, will have to seek an NOC from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) "whose conditions are not acceptable to us", referring to the notices issued by BMC to owners of private wells directing them to obtain NOCs from CGWA, which had triggered the strike. The notices have been stayed till June 15.
The city's dependence on private tankers has grown over the years, particularly in newly developed areas where BMC's water supply is insufficient. These tankers also typically cater to star hotels, large housing societies, malls and food courts. With the strike disrupting even these supplemental supplies, concerns have been raised about the impact on daily water access in several parts of the city.
BMC's SOP on streamlining water distribution states that the number of tankers, along with drivers, cleaners and necessary office staff, will be requisitioned based on the usual demand and determined in advance. A joint notification will be issued by BMC's disaster management and legal departments, following which the transport commissioner will assign the required vehicles and personnel to the respective ward offices by the evening.
Each ward office will see the formation of operational teams led by assistant commissioners and comprising officials such as assistant engineer (water works), pest control officer, medical officer (health), accounts officer, regional transport inspector and police inspector, according to the SOP. These teams will function under the supervision of the zonal deputy or additional municipal commissioners. The number of transport inspectors required at each ward, depending on the number of tankers and water filling points, will be assessed by the executive health officer and the transport commissioner will be apprised of it for deployment of adequate manpower.
The SOP also states that housing societies in need of tanker water must place their request at the citizen facilitation centre (CFC) of their ward office and pay the applicable fee. This receipt will be acknowledged at water filling stations. Housing societies must also submit proof of their regular daily water consumption and usual tanker requirements, as provided by their existing suppliers. Once the request is registered, a tanker will be dispatched to the designated filling point and upon filling, it will proceed to the respective society. Local police stations will provide security at all filling points to maintain order.
The housing societies will be required to pay the same amount they typically pay private tanker operators, along with a 25% administrative surcharge. This can be paid either in cash or via UPI at CFCs. On completion of delivery, tanker operators must submit the delivery receipt to the BMC team. Based on this submission, the accounts officer will process payment to the tanker operator.
The operational teams formed under this SOP will also assign subordinate officers to ensure effective implementation. Zonal deputy or additional municipal commissioners, along with their counterparts in Mumbai police, will be responsible for monitoring compliance and smooth functioning. They have also been authorised to make minor local adjustments, if necessary, to the SOP, in consultation with the additional municipal commissioner.
The funds required to implement the SOP will be disbursed by the accounts officer to the assistant commissioner, and all expenditure has to be properly documented and accounted for.
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