Metro 7 staff accidentally flood Andheri area amid 100 per cent water cut, forcing already-parched residents to opt for costly tankers; BMC recently issued a circular announcing a 100 per cent water cut in several parts of the ward
Water accumulates on a street at PNT Colony on Sahar Road in Andheri East on Monday. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Residents of K East ward, comprising Andheri East, who have been witnessing a severe water shortage since work on the Mumbai Metro Red Line 7, claimed that a huge amount of potable water was wasted on the streets of PNT Colony on Sahar Road on Monday, blaming engineers and staff working on the project.
On the one hand, the hydraulic department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently issued a circular announcing a 100 per cent water cut in several parts of the ward, citing the diversion of potable water for Metro 7 construction work, on the other hand, residents allege, large quantities of water continue to be wasted unchecked at the spot where re-kinking works of Metro 7 are underway.
Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night
“The two valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening as they wanted to pump water for the project. But the water from the tanks, which we use for drinking and other domestic purposes, started flowing out. This also led to water entering the houses of at least 20-25 families at night,” said Abhijit Ausarmol, a resident of Building C-25.
Abhijit Ausarmol, resident, Building C-25, PNT Colony
Locals claim that the irony of water being wasted while citizens are subjected to a total water cut reflects poor planning and a lack of coordination between civic departments. “The last time we faced a similar problem, we had requested the staff to inform us before starting work so that we could make alternative arrangements. However, even this time, no notice or circular reached us, stating that there would be a complete water cut. On top of this, they also wasted our stored water by opening both valves,” said Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony.
Expensive error
Adding to their daily costs, some families who were taken by shock on Tuesday due to the water cut had to call for emergency tankers to suffice their water needs by paying extra last-minute costs. “Most families do have water storage facilities. A few paid almost double the usual cost for tanker water. If we were taken into confidence and if our stored water was not wasted like this, we wouldn’t have faced such a burden,” said Ausarmol.
The valves of a potable water tank were opened by the staff on Monday evening
Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the NGO Watchdog Foundation, who has written a letter on behalf of the residents to the BMC on this issue, said, “Water can be seen supplied for Metro work, yet we witness water flowing onto roads for hours. Residents’ repeated complaints have fallen on deaf ears once again, as always. Now, they also have to deal with inundation, resulting in damage to their property. If the administration expects citizens to cooperate during water shortages, it must first ensure zero wastage and accountability at its own project sites. Such criminal wastage of potable water is a blot on our system.”
Anand Nimangare, secretary of PNT Colony in Andheri East. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In response to the letter written by the Watchdog Foundation, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has forwarded the complaint to the ward's assistant municipal commissioner, directing them to look into the matter.
Abhijit Ausarmol’s home, which was inundated on Monday night
The Metro work
Work is on the Red Line Mumbai Metro L7A. A massive 2,440 mm water pipeline is coming directly in the way of the ramp next to the airport colony. The work on shifting the pipeline, considered by staff to be the last obstacle they are facing, is in progress and is expected to be completed soon. The 16.5-km-long Red Line 7 is operational between Dahisar and Andheri East, and work is on to extend it to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
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