• By Imran Zafar
  • Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:37 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) on Monday announced an immediate end to its indefinite strike, resuming water supply across the city. The decision came after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) invoked the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on Sunday, authorising the use of private tankers, wells and borewells to manage the ongoing crisis.

"We have decided to withdraw the indefinite strike and resume water supply in Mumbai with immediate effect," MWTA general secretary Rajesh Thakur said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

MWTA launched the strike on April 10, following BMC’s issuance of notices to private well owners supplying water to tankers. This disrupted the water supply to residential societies, railways and construction projects in several parts. However, these notices were later stayed until June 15 following interventions by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil.

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The MWTA’s strike had a considerable impact, affecting supply from around 1,800 registered tankers that typically deliver nearly 350 million litres of water daily. Despite intervention efforts—including a meeting chaired by Union Minister Paatil to ease Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) norms—MWTA had remained unresponsive until the BMC’s emergency action prompted the withdrawal.

Earlier, in response to the disruption, BMC formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline water distribution. The SOP outlined coordination through ward-level teams involving officials from the water works, health, pest control and police departments to manage tanker operations efficiently.

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BMC stated that housing societies in need of water can submit their requests at Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFCs), where payments will be processed and receipts issued. Police protection will be provided at all water-filling stations. Water charges will be based on current market rates with an added 25 per cent administrative fee, payable via cash or UPI.

(With agency inputs)