27 December,2010 06:57 AM IST | | Rinkita Gurav
To profit from BMC's water cuts on January 6-8, private suppliers plan to hike rates of water tankers by Rs 100-200
The first week of the new year heralds water woes for Mumbaikars yet again.
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After the BMC announced water cuts on January 6, 7, and 8, private water suppliers would raise the rates of water tankers during these days by Rs 100-200 from the original cost of Rs 500-650.
An official from Matoshree Water Suppliers said, "If the client is far away, the rates will increase. Since we will serve them on a short notice, we may raise the rates by Rs 100-200."
He added that suppliers with regular customers are unlikely to increase the rates for them.
But another water supplier from Vile Parle said, "Even if the clients are fixed, any businessman would want to earn more. So they would increase the rates during a crisis. I would boost it by Rs 100-200."
Normally, private suppliers sell water at the rate of Rs 500-600 for a tanker.
But housing societies requiring water may have to shed up to Rs 850-1000 for a tanker during the water crisis, as some suppliers charge Rs 700 for a tanker on regular days.
Devika Ghedia, a resident of Andheri, said, "Already, our society invests a lot in acquiring extra water through suppliers. Now this problem has sprung up again and we will have to shell out more."
Reasons for the cut
"The BMC has undertaken water tunnel construction on the Maroshi-Vakola-Mahim-Ruparel College (Matunga) stretch about 60 m below ground level to replace the old existing main valve on the line.
The refitting is meant to strengthen the main and help the BMC augment water supply to Mumbai city and suburbs," said Municipal Commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya.
Also, the work of fixing the valve on Bhandup-Maroshi main, is likely to be executed from January 6 to 9.
No water supply
The following areas in the city would not get any water supply':
January 6-8: Cuffe Parade, Colaba (Navy), Nariman Point, Backbay Reclamation, Fort, Churchgate and Sabusiddik Road Area in BMC's A Ward.
January 6: Jogeshwari and Andheri in K-East ward, and ODC zone of P-South ward.
January 7: Kalbadevi, C P Tank and Girgaum in C Ward, Girgaum, Thakurdwar and Mumbai Central in D Ward, Versova and Yari Road in Andheri (W), Vile Parle (W), Santacruz (E), Bandra (E) and MIDC in Andheri (E)
January 8: Andheri (W) zone, Poonam Nagar and Vile Parle (E)
'Supply timings for some zones may be rescheduled.
