BMC undertakes three projects to meet demand for water supply

Mumbai, Apr 26 (UNI) In bid to make Mumbai a world class city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has undertaken several projects including the construction of water reservoirs, strengthening of civic infrastructure, social infrastructure, beautification of the city and improving citizen services.

BMC Commissioner Johnny Joseph told mediapersons here today that considering the increasing population in the metropolis, the corporation has taken up three water projects namely, Middle Vaitarna, Gargai and Pinjal.

''To match the demand and supply of water, it is the need of the hour to reform the distribution system and improve infrastructure.

Otherwise, it will create a huge gap between demand and supply,'' he said.

He said funding is not a problem, but the local body has to consider all aspects of the projects.

''While laying the water supply pipe line we have consider about the traffic as we have to dig the road to lay pipes, which affects the traffic system'', he added.

The corporation has decided to concretise at least 200 metres of road every year in the city.

While taking about 24 x 7 water supply system in the city, Additional Municipal Commissioner Manu Kumar Srivastav said there is a need to improve the infrastructure and distribution system of water supply.

While the corporation collects water tax from the citizens at present, it is planning to go for a universal metering system. The bill would be collected according to the consumption of water by the family or by the individual.

The corporation has taken a historic decision to spent Rs 250 crore on replacement of water supply pipes that are about 100 years old. Presently, 60 per cent of wastage has been picked up by the corporation and the remaining 40 per cent needs to be attended to as it is difficult to reach the spot, he said.

UNI