Mumbai: Andheri residents grapple with low water pressure for months

Many areas in the city have been experiencing water shortages for the past few months

The residents of Andheri East have been grappling with water pressure problems for the past five to six months. Despite multiple visits by BMC officials to rule out technical or mechanical issues, residents are puzzled by the recurring pattern of water pressure increasing for a few days after complaints, only to face low-pressure issues again.

Even though the lakes are full, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not announced any water cuts, many areas in the city have been experiencing water shortages for the past few months. This issue affects several areas, including societies and chawls near Jeevan Vikas Kendra, the entire Koldongri area, the Jumbo Darshan area, and the Paranjpe B Scheme in Andheri East.

Dnyaneshwar Kusumwar, a resident of Koldongri, said, "We've been here for over 50 years, and we've never encountered such a severe water shortage before. Water used to come around 6 pm, and our tanks would fill up within an hour. However, for the last 5-6 months, the water pressure has been so low that it doesn't even reach three feet in height, and our tanks don't fill up until 10 pm. Now we have to use small pots."

Kamlesh Awarsekar, a resident of Jumbo Darshan Bee Society near Jivan Vikas Centre, echoed similar sentiments. "We faced acute shortages from July to September, except for the 10 days of Ganesh festival. Our committee members have been continuously following up with the ward office and engineers from the hydraulic department, so we have been receiving water for the last four days. However, we are uncertain about how long this will last."

Sangeeta Behere, from the Jal Usha building on Jeevan Vikas Kendra road, explained that her building is the last one on the road, and water does not reach their premises. They had to rely on tankers to fill their tanks in June, July, and August. While the situation has improved slightly, a permanent solution is needed.

Abhijeet Samant, an ex-corporator of the area, said, "The issue has persisted for many months, and despite raising it at various levels in the water department, there has been no improvement. Our lakes are full, but in many areas, we are not getting even 50 per cent of the required water. If the issue is not resolved, we will consider taking serious steps like agitation."

10
No of days during Ganeshotsav that water supply was full