Mumbai’s Water Woes Worsen: BMC Pauses Borewell Notice, But Tanker Strike Hits Hard

Mumbai: Amid rising summer temperatures and a growing water crisis, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has suspended its notice to borewell and ring-well owners for two months, offering temporary relief from the implementation of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) 2020 guidelines. However, the Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA) continues its indefinite strike, leaving lakhs of residents across the city struggling for water.

The notice suspension came late Friday after Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis intervened, acknowledging the shortage and requesting action from BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Despite the decision, MWTA remains firm: “We don’t want CGWA guidelines implemented even two months later,” said spokesperson Ankur Sharma, citing impractical requirements like digital flow meters and groundwater reporting.

The ongoing strike has already caused widespread disruption:

• Vijaydeep Building in Khar went without water for 24 hours due to a damaged pipeline and had to fight for one tanker from the BMC.
  

• University of Mumbai’s Kalina campus, home to 66+ buildings and hostels, received no private water supply, forcing the boys’ hostel mess to shut temporarily.
  

• Mumbai Cricket Association (BKC) suspended swimming pool services and issued water rationing advisories.
  
  

Private tankers are a crucial water source for areas with insufficient municipal supply, especially slums and residential buildings without direct pipelines. With no regulation currently in place for the private tanker-well owner tie-ups, the CGWA’s guidelines had triggered widespread unrest among suppliers.

Despite temporary relief from the BMC, Mumbai’s water crisis deepens, with no end in sight to the tanker strike.