Mumbai: 5th September 2015:
It's a known fact that a major water
shortage and scarcity looms over Mumbai and a drought situation this
year in many
districts of Maharashtra. Even though
the government and the BMC in Mumbai are not saying it so clearly right
now, so
as not to alarm citizens during the festival season, a news report in
the DNA states the present
stock of water in the six lakes supplying water to Mumbai is far, far
below the
required levels.The same report goes on to say that the present water
levels in the lakes are dismally low. A recent report in the Indian
Express says, an extended dry spell has
depleted water sources in several parts of Maharashtra. State
Agriculture
Minister Eknath Khadse said water sources have almost entirely dried up
in
three districts, Latur, Beed, and Osmanabad - in the worst-hit
Marathwada
region, triggering a serious drinking water crisis in those areas.
The Bharat Citizens Action Forum or BCAF - a social forum, in association with IndiaNewsNetwork.in has launched a massive
awareness campaign in Mumbai and Maharashtra titled, Pani Bachao, Mumbai Bachao on the occasion of
Janmashtami to spread awareness about the gigantic problem looming over Mumbai
and Maharashtra. Model and actress Arshi
Khan who is the spokesperson and chief patron of the campaign, says,
"Every day thousands of liters of water are wasted in Mumbai - washing
cars, vehicles and also due to leakage, water theft and unnecessary wastage or
overuse of precious water. Water is the most precious natural resource we have.
We must preserve and conserve water at all costs or a terrible situation will
arise where water may have to be rationed in Mumbai."
According to media reports, the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai and the city administrators
are playing down the emergency, but Mumbai is facing a huge water shortage this
year say news reports. Already the BMC had quietly implemented an unofficial
10% water cut from August end, and according to latest reports, a decision was
taken this week that residential, commercial and industrial areas will face a
20 per cent water cut whereas malls, multiplexes, swimming pools, restaurants
and hotels (that have water supply pipelines more than 100 mm in diameter) will
face 50 per cent water cut.
Arshi Khan who is the promoter
and chief patron of this campaign said, "The BCAF has launched a poster
campaign, a mega fashion show and a caption campaign in Mumbai for youth. The
idea is to create a massive awareness of the real and existing sitution in the
city so that water conservation and wastage is totally prevented, so that
drastic measures like rationing of water need to be taken at the last minute,
when the crisis worsens. If we save water and reduce unnecessary consumption today,
we may not have to face severe measures later on during the summer of
2016," Arshi Khan said. Camaal Mustafa Sikander – Mumbai’s
expert sign-age, branding and web consultant and fashion photographer has
consented to provide interesting and innovative poster designs and graphics including photographs for
the BCAF Pani Bachao, Mumbai Bachao campaign.
According
to the DNA, the present
stock of water in the six lakes supplying water to Mumbai is far below
the
required levels. The stock, as on August 20,2014, was 1299666
million liters.
This would suffice the city for 351 days. This year, the stock is down
to 934638 million liters. which may last only for 252 days.
Statistics or a comparison of the
six lakes shows that water levels are dismally low. In fact, when the city had
faced a similar water shortage during 2012, the civic body had imposed a 20%
water cut throughout the year.
As reported in the media, Sanjay Mukherjee, Additional Municipal
Commissioner says, “If it does not rain in September, the BMC will resort to
stricter measures which may include providing water to the city only on
alternate days. The water levels in lakes have fallen by 28 per cent as
compared to the same time last year. Moreover, there is a shortage of 35 per
cent water required throughout the year. We will come down heavily if
incidences of water theft or wastage of water are discovered.” The BMC plans to
impose stiff fines and penalties if water wastage is found
out.
Not, just Mumbai, the entire
state is feeling the water shortage due to scanty rains in August. According to
a report in the Indian Express, an extended dry spell has depleted water
sources in several parts of the state. Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Eknath
Khadse said water sources have almost entirely dried up in three districts,
Latur, Beed, and Osmanabad, in the worst-hit Marathwada region, triggering a
serious drinking water crisis.
Following a specially convened
meeting of a cabinet sub-committee where water supply was deliberated, Khadse
said, “We decided to evoke a contingency plan to deal with the crisis.” The
cabinet committee has decided to reserve dam water for supply of drinking
water. While the government has pressed 1,751 tankers into service for
supplying water to 1,340 villages and 2,362 hamlets, the cabinet sub-committee
on Tuesday eased norms for tanker water supply further. “The cap that the
tanker water will be supplied within 50 km of the water sources may be relaxed
for areas where no water is available within the prescribed limit,” Khadse
said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
recently said, “The uncertainty over rains has reduced the ground water table in
Maharashtra, which has adversely hit farming, prompting the state government to
launch a major statewide water conservation programme.”
The BCAF has invited citizens to
support and contribute to this campaign in any way they can. Please contact the
BCAF on bharat.citizens.action.forum AT gmail.com
