Water tanker strike called off after CM’s intervention

Mumbai: Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA) called off its strike on the second day on Tuesday after receiving assurances from CM Devendra Fadnavis that no action will be taken against well owners and tanker operators over failure to obtain NOCs from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and notices issued recently to some well owners will be withdrawn.

MWTA had gone on strike to protest the notices as well as “selective and stringent implementation” of CGWA’s regulations in Mumbai.

“The CM told us that he would issue directions to the district collectors on the matter. Subsequently, office-bearers of the association met the district collector in Bandra. The collector informed us that he would write to BMC asking it not to pursue legal action against well operators and water suppliers,” said Amol Mandhare, secretary of MWTA.

Ankur Sharma, MWTA spokesperson, said authorities assured the association they would represent its concerns before CGWA and the jal shakti ministry, seeking amendments to the norms.

The strike, which began post Sunday midnight, had disrupted a critical source of water for thousands of households, commercial establishments and informal settlements amid a 10% water cut and depleting lake stocks.

After many housing societies complained of being overcharged by tanker operators and being forced to limit supply to households during the crisis, some clubs had to curtail operations due to water shortage. Cyrus Gorimar, vice-president of Garware Club in south Mumbai, said the pool, the spa and a restaurant had been shut. “We depend on tankers for nearly 60% of our water requirements.” Cricket Club of India, also in south Mumbai, too shut its swimming pool and adopted water conservation measures, including the use of disposable plates.

Water tanker operators and the authorities have locked horns since 2023 when the Centre’s 2020 guidelines to regulate the extraction of groundwater came into force. The latest flashpoint was the result of notices to many owners and operators of wells directing them to stop supply to tankers and obtain fresh licences from CGWA in compliance with the 2020 guidelines. Well and tanker operators have called the guidelines restrictive since they stipulate that a licence can be issued only if a well is on a plot measuring at least 200sqm, only one tanker can be filled from a well at a time, and tamper-proof digital water flow meters must be installed at wells to record extraction. “How can we comply with such norms in Mumbai, especially when we do not supply potable water?” said Mandhare. The notices also warned of power supply disconnection and equipment seizure for compliance failure.