Rising number of slums near the water reservoir has resulted in low flow for residents of three BMC wards in South Mumbai
Proliferation of slums on the Bhandarwada hill in Mazgaon is a major reason for wastage of potable water in at least three BMC wards. Mazgaon residents claim that slum dwellers illegally tap water from pipelines running out from a reservoir at the top of the hill that supplies water to these wards.
The number of slum tenements have been increasing with each passing day. The local representative says the number of slum tenements in this area have doubled in the last five years.
The water reservoir located at the top of the Bhandarwada hill supplies water to the A (Colaba to Crawford Market), B (Mohammed Ali Road to Nagpada) and E (Byculla to Mazgaon) wards of BMC. Residents complain that they get a low flow of water most of the time due to illegal tapping.
According to residents, when the civic body supplies water in the mornings and evenings, one can see potable water flowing down Bhandarwada hill. "Most of the roads along the Bhandara hill are drenched with potable
water. This water comes down from the hill due to leak in pipelines used for stealing water," said Mohammad Wasim, a resident of Mazgaon.
Residents, who often visit Joseph Baptista Garden situated at the top of the Bhandarwada Hill say that land encroachment should also be stopped around the hill. "I come to the garden as it has a jogging area along with several flowering plants. It also has a spectacular view of the docks along the east coast. In order to maintain its beauty, land encroachment around this place must be stopped," said another resident of the area.
Yashwant Jadhav, corporator of Shiv Sena from the area who is also Leader of House in the BMC said he was aware of the situation and had raised the issue in the past. "I have always raised the issue of increasing number of slums on the hill. This can be fatal if not stopped in time. The hill slope is vulnerable during monsoon," said Jadhav.
He added that in the last standing committee meeting, he opposed the proposal to change water valves of pipeline connected to the reservoir situated to Bhandara Hill.
AS Tawadiya, Chief Hydraulic engineer of BMC said he was not aware of it, but would ask the ward office to look into it. "If slum dwellers are tapping water illegally, we will take action," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bhandarwada-hill-Mazgaon")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}