08 January,2026 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania
Residents of Ariana Residency in Devipada, Borivli East, with one of the tankers they depend on daily owing to the long-standing water pressure issue in the area. Pics/Nimesh Dave
A major contest is unfolding in electoral ward no. 12 in Borivali East's R Central ward, where residents of Ariana Residency at Devipada have collectively decided that the party which resolves their long-standing water crisis will receive 1300 votes from the housing society. The residents allege that they have been receiving insufficient and horrible-smelling water from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the past four years, compelling them to spend nearly R16,000 per day on water from private tankers.
At the housing society's gates, posters have also been put up, stating, "We are paying taxes, but we are begging for water. First solve our water issue, and then ask for votes."
Ariana Residency houses nearly 1300 residents across 325 flats in A, B, and C wings. The society was redeveloped in 2021, and it has been facing low-water pressure ever since. Residents allege that despite repeatedly approaching the BMC, the local MLA, and MP, no solution has been provided so far.
According to locals, civic officials blamed a major slope for the society's water pressure woes.
Resident Akshay Parab said, "We receive insufficient water from the BMC every day. We order four water tankers daily. We pay taxes to the government. If we do not get sufficient water, we will not vote. Whoever helps us solve this water crisis will get our votes."
Another resident, Mukesh Ashar, said, "We receive only 50 per cent of our required amount of water from the BMC, while the tanker water we buy is not potable. Purchasing drinking water bottles from shops is an additional expense."
Shraddha Subhash Aroskar, yet another resident, said, "We boil water daily for drinking. Even for cooking, we are forced to use dirty water. The water supplied by the BMC smells terrible. No one comes back after being voted to power. We want a permanent solution, and we will vote only for those who help us."
Ashok Jadhav, a provisional committee member of Ariana Residency, said, "The water we receive from the BMC is dirty, foul-smelling, and unfit for drinking. Our children's health is being affected. We have written several letters to the R Central ward of the BMC, but no solution has been provided."
mid-day tried to contact Praful Tambe, the assistant commissioner of R Central ward, but he was unavailable for comment. A senior BMC official said on the condition of anonymity, "We will look into this matter and solve it."
Electoral ward No. 12 is reserved for OBC women candidates, and every aspirant mid-day spoke to express confidence about decisively resolving the issue
âThe previous MLA and MP did not help this society, which is why they are facing low water pressure. We will hold a meeting with the society very soon. Once I win the election, I will definitely help them and resolve the issue'
Priti Dandekar, Independent candidate
âI am aware of this issue. Within the next two to three days, I will hold a meeting with the society members and resolve the problem. Water is a basic necessity, and every society member has the right to receive it'
Vandana Shinde, Independent candidate
âI have met the society members. If I win this election, I will first meet [party chief] Uddhav Thackeray and ensure this issue is resolved. I promise that I will not abandon my party like others have done in the past'
Sarika Zore, Shiv Sena (UBT)
âI will meet the society members very soon and resolve the issue. While other political parties are busy campaigning, I can assure everyone that if I win, I will meet [party chief] Eknath Shinde and MLA Prakash Surve on the very first day and ensure a permanent solution'
Survana Gavas, Shiv Sena
