Mumbai Water Crisis: BMC Takes Over Private Tankers Amid Ongoing Strike, Invokes Disaster Management Act

Mumbai: Amid an escalating water crisis triggered by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association’s (MWTA) indefinite strike, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invoked the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to requisition all private water tankers, borewells, and wells in the city starting April 15.

This urgent step comes after four days of the strike, which began on April 10, leaving residential areas like Andheri’s Kanakia Rainforest and others completely dry. With Mumbai’s daily water demand at 4,505 MLD and the BMC supplying only 3,950 MLD, over 2,000 private tankers have been critical in bridging the gap until the strike brought services to a halt.

Despite earlier government efforts to ease tensions by deferring new CGWA license requirements for two months, the MWTA has refused to resume operations, demanding a permanent amendment in norms.

Now, the BMC will commandeer not just tankers but also their drivers, cleaners, and staff. Residential borewells used exclusively by societies won’t be affected. Legal action is expected against those refusing compliance.

To manage the transition, the BMC has issued a 12-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for civic staff, housing societies, and requisitioned operators. A ward-level command structure involving engineers, health officers, RTO staff, and police will monitor tanker deployment, refilling, and delivery.

Societies will pay via Citizen Facilitation Centres based on earlier market rates plus a 25% administrative fee, while requisitioned tanker owners will be compensated post-verification.

With shops running out of bottled water and infrastructure projects like the Metro and Coastal Road impacted, the crisis has reached a boiling point. Residents now await relief as the city braces for summer heat without adequate water.

Stay tuned for updates on how Mumbai navigates this critical situation.