Keeping the ongoing drought in mind, BMC will not provide water tankers to any housing societies that are planning to organise a rain dance or celebrate Holi by ordering extra water
It’s easy to take water for granted and if your housing society is planning to purchase a water tanker to celebrate Holi, they would have to strike it off their wish list. Concerned with the water crisis in some parts of the state, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to refrain from selling water tankers, potable or non-potable, to anyone this year during Holi.
Over the years, the trend of organising rain dances by ordering water tankers has become synonymous during Holi celebrations at housing societies in the city. But, this year Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte and Mayor Sunil Prabhu have appealed to citizens to utilise lesser amount of water during the festival, which will be celebrated next Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Unholy waste: Creating artificial showers by organising rain dances have become the trend in recent years during Holi celebrations at housing societies in the city. This year the civic body intends to curb such activities by restricting the supply of water tankers. File Pic
“Rural areas in the state are facing a drought-like situation and it is our duty to use less water during the revelry. Water is a precious commodity at the moment and should be used scarcely,” said Prabhu.
An official from the water department said, “We usually don’t encourage usage of water tankers, but during Holi the demand for tankers is high. Also water tanker suppliers earn more during this festival. It is very difficult to take action as the deal is secretly made between the suppliers. People should realise that there is a water crisis in rural areas and not waste water.”
Meanwhile, Ramesh Bambale, hydraulic engineer of the BMC, claimed that they don’t supply tankers during Holi celebration. “We don’t supply water tankers at all. Also there would not be any additional water supply for the festival.”
But, a former BMC hydraulic engineer laid bare to his claims stating that housing societies have been utilising water tankers during the festival of colours. “Earlier we used to supply water tankers. I don’t know what the policy is now,” said the engineer, on condition of anonymity.
According to the civic department, there are about 1,300 water tankers operating in the city that supply water and about 300 tankers, with a capacity of 10,000 litres each, are pressed into service to meet the demand on Holi day.u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
