Mumbai Water Crisis Sparks Legislative Council Debate; BMC Announces 90-Day Crackdown on Illegal Connections

MLC Rajhans Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party highlighted the growing water crisis in Mumbai, alleging that a significant portion of the city’s daily water supply is being lost due to leakage, theft, and illegal connections. He stated that areas such as Kurla, Sakinaka, and LBS Road are witnessing unauthorized water supply being extended to illegal hotels, lodging establishments, and commercial units operating in multi-storey structures. He urged the government to take strict action against the entire network responsible for disrupting the city’s water distribution system.

Singh further stated that Mumbai requires approximately 4,665 million litres per day of water, while the current supply stands at around 4,100 million litres per day. He alleged that nearly 30 percent of this supply is being wasted due to leakage and theft, significantly worsening the shortage faced by citizens.

Responding to the concerns, Industry Minister Uday Samant informed the Council that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will launch a 90-day special campaign to identify and eliminate illegal water connections across the city. He stated that a comprehensive survey will be conducted, and all unauthorized connections will be immediately disconnected to ensure equitable distribution of water to Mumbai residents. He also directed the concerned departments to take strict action against water theft and leakage under the special drive.

During the discussion, allegations were also raised that high-rise residential buildings receive adequate water supply, while residents in chawls and slum areas face acute shortages. However, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam stated that even his residential building in Borivali is facing water supply issues. In response, Uday Samant clarified that water distribution is not based on building type and is intended to be uniform across all categories.

BJP legislator Praveen Darekar suggested constructing a lake on forest land near the Dahisar Check Naka area, stating that such a water body could help resolve the water problems faced by residents in Dahisar and Borivali.

The discussion underscored growing concerns over Mumbai’s water management system, highlighting structural inefficiencies, enforcement gaps, and the urgent need for corrective measures to ensure fair and sustainable water distribution across the metropolis.