From May 1, every citizen of Mumbai will get a drinking water connection under the BMC’s ‘Water for All’ policy. This includes huts on footpaths and buildings with illegal alterations. mid-day had reported on April 6 that the policy will come as a big relief to around 55,000 buildings where residents currently have to pay double water charges in the absence of occupancy certificate. 

“No one will be left without a legal water connection. But having a regular water connection will not mean an illegal structure has been regularised,” said Aaditya Thackeray, suburban guardian minister. “Under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘Water for All’ policy, buildings without OCs, buildings with illegal alterations and every hut in the city will get water at a regular rate,” said a BMC official.