Mumbai: As the Mumbai Water Tanker Association prepares to suspend services from Sunday midnight, several housing societies are already beginning to feel the impact. Residents of Jolly Makers Housing Society in Cuffe Parade said they are facing an acute water shortage as the society is heavily dependent on private tankers to supplement the limited supply received from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Residents Struggle with Basic Chores
"We receive inadequate water from the civic body and rely extensively on tankers. With tanker services set to stop, even carrying out basic daily chores is becoming difficult," said Zubin Contractor, a resident from the 25-storey tower. Contractor added that while they did receive tanker water on Sunday, this appears to be a temporary arrangement.
Water Stocks at Critical Low
The crisis comes at a time when water stocks in the seven lakes catering to Mumbai's drinking water needs have dipped to just 13% of their total capacity, prompting the BMC to appeal to citizens to use water judiciously. The situation is expected to worsen as summer intensifies and demand rises.
Tanker Association's Role
The Mumbai Water Tanker Association operates around 2,000 tankers with capacities ranging from 500 litres to 30,000 litres, catering to thousands of residential societies, commercial establishments, and construction sites across the city. The suspension of services will affect a vast number of consumers who depend on these tankers for their daily water needs.
Reasons Behind the Strike
Ankur Sharma, representing the tanker association, explained, "This decision has been taken due to the harsh and selective implementation of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) norms exclusively in the Mumbai Division, adversely affecting water tanker operators, well owners, ring well owners, borewell operators, RO plant owners, and water suppliers." The 2020 CGWA rules mandate 200 square metres of open space around each well, proof of property ownership, digital flow meters, and no-objection certificates (NOCs). Tanker operators state these conditions are nearly impossible to meet in Mumbai's densely populated urban landscape.
Political Reactions
Coming out in support of the association, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying, "Almost a year after the last strike, once again the Mumbai Water Tanker Association has called for a strike from midnight. Mumbai already faces water shortage due to water cuts that the BMC has implemented. Even though it says 10%, it actually is much more in certain areas. Even in such a situation, the government is now implementing certain norms of the Central Ground Water Authority that are illogical for Mumbai. The government cannot supply enough water, people are forced to be dependent on tankers and the government is now penalising tankers, leading to a strike. Last year, the BMC and BJP pretended to intervene, promised changes in norms and nothing happened. The BJP has government at all levels and refuses to keep its promises and ensures Mumbai suffers. Had the BJP regime not scrapped our desalination project in 2022, it would have been operating by 2025 and no shortfall would occur. Nonetheless, even now, the Jal Shakti Ministry can still amend its norms. Sadly as of now, everyone in this regime refuses to intervene, while Mumbai suffers. Why does BJP hate Mumbai so much?"
Previous Strike and Compliance
The Mumbai Water Tanker Association had gone on an 'indefinite break' on April 10, 2025, after the BMC issued notices to well owners to get NOCs from the Central Ground Water Authority, as per revised guidelines, failing which permits were to be cancelled. While the association had said that an NOC was only needed for drinking water and not the non-potable water it supplies, the BMC had asserted that action would be taken if extraction continued without approval. The compliance date was later deferred, but the underlying issues remain unresolved.
The ongoing dispute highlights the fragile water supply system in Mumbai, where private tankers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between demand and supply. With the strike now in effect, residents and businesses are bracing for tougher days ahead.
