RTI reveals loopholes in water supply management by TMC

DNA: Mumbai: Friday, September 11, 2015.

Amid scanty rainfall this monsoon and water scarcity scare looming over the city, it has been revealed in an RTI reply that the water supple in Thane has not been managed well.

Based on the information received under RTI, activist Vikrant Chandrahas Tawde has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting the court to direct the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to implement water supply scheme on the basis of detailed project report for the city with the help of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme.

The RTI report reveals that as per the water audit carried out in 2008, there are only 4% water meters installed in the city due to which the corporation has no control on the use of water. The report further stated that 35% water is unaccounted for and there is no recovery of water taxes, which runs to the extent of 63%. The data also shows that the TMC has been unable to recover 100% water tax.

"The water audits should be done at least once in two years, but the last audit was done in 2008 and since then no water audit has been done," said Tawde.

Currently, the city requires 460 MLD water per day, however only 396.10 MLD is received, of which the water which is billed is only 262.65 MLD. "There is no proper water meter hence, it affects the recovery. Though the civic body has asked for water audit reports and though a report of several suggestions on distribution was submitted, nothing has been done yet," the activist added.

Thane receives water from Sahad Temghar Water Authority (STEM), Municipal Corporation of Brihan Mumbai (MCBM) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Around 215 MLD water is purchased from the above agencies and additional 110 MLD is ensured from Bhatsa dam by TMC.

Tawde added that the TMC has been unable to fix the leakages and control water theft. Thane has 40% of its population living in slums and there is no management of pipelines in these areas hence, leading to theft. The activists has given a copy of PIL to civic chief Sajeev Jaiswal. When contacted, Jaiswal was not available for a comment.

It has also been found through the RTI that the TMC requires Rs126.69 crore to implement 24x7 water supply in the city and Rs391 crore has already been sanctioned by the central government. A civic official said once they receive the money, they will implement the scheme and water meters, too, will be fixed. However, steps are not being taken to implement the water scheme on the basis of report.

Meanwhile, in his petition, activist Tawde has demanded that the TMC implements water supply scheme on basis of detailed project report with help of JNURM and control water wastage through leakages and theft. He also demanded that the civic body fix water meters in its jurisdiction.