Mumbai: Several large housing societies relying on water tankers for non-potable use were hit after tanker operators halted services on Thursday. While temporary arrangements cushioned the initial impact on construction sites and roadwork, continued disruption could severely affect key infrastructure projects, including the bullet train and road concretisation work, fears official.
The Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) has announced an indefinite suspension of water supply across the city, following a crackdown by the BMC on private well owners supplying non-potable water to tankers. The BMC’s issuance of notices has sparked a standoff with tanker operators, leaving no immediate resolution in sight.
The resulting disruption is expected to have an impact on luxury hotels, high-rise residential complexes and major infrastructure projects such as the Metro rail, bullet train, and road concretisation works—which depend on tanker-supplied water for daily operations and construction needs.
On the first day of the water supply suspension, large housing societies in areas like Andheri, Sion, and Sewree faced water shortages. Dhaval Shah from the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association stated, "We are facing water contamination in our area, so around 50 societies in Oshiwara currently rely on water tankers. The suspension has affected these areas. We usually get water from BMC’s filling points."
Sachin Padwal, a former corporator from Sewree, added, "High-rise buildings like Ashok Tower and Celestial Building depend on water tankers for other uses. They will now have to make alternate arrangements due to the strike."
Ravi Raja, BJP leader from Sion, pointed out, "Residents of Indira Nagar have complained about the water shortage and are facing difficulties because of the lack of tanker supply. If BMC had completed projects like upgradation of seven Sewage Treatment Plants, citizens wouldn’t have to rely on water tankers for non-potable water."
Amol Mandre, the treasurer of the MWTA, said, "The deadline set by the civic body for well owners to obtain CGWA licenses ended on Thursday, so we had to stop operating tankers to avoid legal complications. We have been receiving calls from luxury hotels and Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) sites for water supply. Since it's only the first day, many of them may have stored water, but they will start feeling the shortage in the coming days. However, we are helpless."
Meanwhile, water is essential for curing on road concretisation sites, which is expected to be affected. Currently, 197 kilometers of roads across approximately 310 sites are under concretisation.
A senior civic official commented, "We had already informed the road contractors to make alternate arrangements so that work does not get hindered. Therefore, the suspension of water tankers has not impacted our road concretisation, stormwater, or bridge work."
However, an official from the road department noted, "The water tanks set up at work sites are sufficient for just a few days. The issue will arise if the strike continues."
"The ongoing suspension of water tanker services in Mumbai, if limited to few days may have minimal impact. However, any prolonged disruption beyond this period could affect construction activities," said National high speed rail corporation official.
NHSRCL is executing the construction of the underground station at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, under the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project.
Aaditya Thackeray, MLA (ShivSena-UBT), posted on X, "During this peak season of increased water demand, many residential housing societies, large buildings, commercial offices, and businesses are expected to be severely impacted. Today, Mumbaikars are suffering due to impractical guidelines created by officials sitting in government offices in Delhi, disconnected from the on-ground realities of the city. BMC commissioner should take immediate action to resolve this issue and work with the relevant authorities to find a practical solution that addresses the water supply needs of Mumbai’s residents and businesses."
The BMC, through notices, had directed well owners to obtain an No Objection Certificates from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), failing which existing permissions would be revoked.
The tanker association argued that the CGWA's NOC is mandatory only for potable water extraction, while they draw non-potable water from these wells. However, the civic authorities said that action will be taken if well abstraction continues without the NOC.
Tanker Capacity: 500 litres to 20,000 litres
Number of Tankers: 1,800 to 2,500
Mumbai's Water Requirement: 4,463 million litres per day (MLD)
Municipal Supply: 3,950 MLD
Supply through Tankers: 250 - 300 MLD
Fines on tankers if without NOC - Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000.
