Water woes: Why Mumbai will not go dry

The Maharashtra government is willing to take a 'risk' to ensure that Mumbai does not go dry this summer.

The government on Wednesday said that they would provide 120 million litres per day (MLD) of water from its own reservoirs to the civic body to ensure that Mumbai does not face any water cuts.

State Irrigation Minister, Ajit Pawar made this announcement on Wednesday after a meeting with hydraulic department officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Pawar said they would provide 'carry over' water (the minimum amount of water that is stored in the dam, which is usually not used and kept as storage till the next monsoon) till August 15.

"We know we are taking a risk but we are doing this as Mumbai is India's financial capital and we don't want the economic hub of the country to be disturbed due to the impending water cuts," Pawar said.

The move would be a big relief to Mumbaikars who are already facing a 30 per cent water cut. The civic body had warned that they would have to go for a 100 per cent water cut per day in different zones across the city if the situation remains the same.

The state government's move however is fraught with risks. If the rains play truant this year too, then the state would have a tough job of explaining this move to the farmers as the state is diverting water meant for farming purposes.

Pawar however hoped that even if the rains hit the state by July 15, they would be able to recover the water used. "We will ensure that farmers are not affected," Pawar said.

The state's move comes as the BMC is grappling with water shortage due to lack of rains in the catchment areas.