Mumbai: The water crisis in Mumbai intensified on Sunday as the strike by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) entered its fourth consecutive day. The association refused to resume operations unless the state government officially amends the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) rules that have recently come into effect in Mumbai.
4 Key Demands By Water Tanker Association
At the centre of the standoff are four major demands being raised by the tanker operators. They are urging the authorities to withdraw the condition that requires a 200-metre vacant buffer around wells and borewells, a rule they say is impractical in a congested city like Mumbai. They also want tankers to be allowed to park on roads while water is being filled, as there are no designated zones near most source wells.
Another key demand is that the BMC, and not private agencies, install digital flow meters to maintain transparency and standardisation. Lastly, they are demanding that all the penalties and notices issued against tanker operators under the new guidelines be revoked immediately.
Anukur Sharma, spokesperson for the MWTA, said the issue can only be resolved if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calls for a meeting with all stakeholders, including representatives from the CGWA, BMC and the association. “The new rules for groundwater extraction apply to the entire country, but enforcement is being carried out only in Mumbai, and that too without considering the city’s specific challenges,” Sharma said.
He further pointed out that tanker operations continue as usual in Nalasopara, Vasai-Virar and Navi Mumbai, with no similar crackdown. Although the BMC has paused the enforcement of the new rules until June 15, Sharma said the issue will likely be forgotten once the monsoon arrives. “This is a pressing need, not just a business concern. Thousands depend on tanker water daily due to the BMC’s inability to meet rising demand,” he added.
The strike began on April 10 after the BMC issued notices to owners of ring wells, asking them to stop supplying water to private tankers. These wells are a primary source of groundwater for the city’s tanker operators. With nearly 2,500 tankers out of service, operated by around 350 fleet owners, residents and commercial establishments are already beginning to feel the heat.
Several office complexes in areas like BKC, MIDC, Andheri and Goregaon (East) have switched to work-from-home to cope with the disruption in water supply. As the strike shows no signs of resolution, Mumbai stares at a growing water crisis unless immediate government intervention is initiated.
