Private water tankers in Mira-Bhayandar charge 50% more after 10% supply cut

Water scarcity has worsened in Mira-Bhayandar, and private tanker operators have raised their rates sharply. Conditions deteriorated after a 10 per cent water cut by the STEM Authority and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). A 500-litre tanker that earlier cost about Rs 400 now costs up to Rs 600. Residents who were already facing a shortage now bear the additional burden of cost.

Mira-Bhayandar receives about 200 million litres of water a day from the STEM Authority and the MIDC. Anticipating a shortage ahead, the municipal corporation has imposed a 10 per cent cut. Under the decision, supply from STEM and the MIDC is shut for a fixed period each week. Since the cut began, supply has been disrupted in many parts of the city.

From Friday, a shortage began to be felt in different parts of the city. Supply resumed in some places, but the water is coming at low pressure, so residents could not store as much as they needed. Those living in older buildings and densely populated areas have been hit hardest. With water unavailable even for daily chores, people have had to turn to private tankers.

Municipal tankers mainly serve large housing societies. Residents of older buildings and independent houses therefore have to depend on private 500-litre tankers. Several private tanker operators work in the city, supplying municipal water as well as water from borewells and ponds. Demand for these tankers has risen sharply over the past four days because of the shortage.

The effect of the rising demand is clearly visible in the rates. A 500-litre tanker earlier cost roughly Rs 400, and the rate has now reached Rs 600. Residents are thus paying about Rs 200 more per tanker, an increase of nearly 50 per cent in the price of water.

On one side, the municipal corporation is not providing water regularly or at proper pressure; on the other, the higher private tanker rates are straining household budgets. People have to buy water for drinking, cooking and daily chores. Citizens are likely to demand that private tanker rates be kept in check during the shortage.

Senior officials of the corporation's water supply department said complaints are being received that some private tanker suppliers are overcharging. Instructions have been issued to inspect such operators. The administration has also made clear that if citizens file an official complaint with evidence of overcharging, action will be taken against the tanker operators concerned. Attention now turns to how the corporation will rein in private tanker rates while smoothing the city's supply during the water cut.