From May 1, every citizen of Mumbai will get a drinking water connection under the BMC’s ‘Water for All’ policy. This includes huts on footpaths and buildings with illegal alterations. mid-day had reported on April 6 that the policy will come as a big relief to around 55,000 buildings where residents currently have to pay double water charges in the absence of occupancy certificate.
“No one will be left without a legal water connection. But having a regular water connection will not mean an illegal structure has been regularised,” said Aaditya Thackeray, suburban guardian minister. “Under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘Water for All’ policy, buildings without OCs, buildings with illegal alterations and every hut in the city will get water at a regular rate,” said a BMC official.
“Even slums in the coastal regulation zone, will be supplied water. Slums on Central government lands like the railways or BPT will get water connections after the concern authority’s nod,” the official added. Aaditya Thackeray visited the BMC head office on Monday and took a review of the policy. “The BMC will provide drinking water to everyone. The Water for All policy will be implemented from May 1. The BMC is also working on a desalination project to increase water for the city,” he said.
“If everyone gets a legal connection it can help prevent illegal water connections that cause water contamination and loss. The legal connections will increase BMC's revenue,” another official said. “While supplying water to illegal structures, the BMC will take a written guarantee from the person concerned. The water supply won’t be proof for the structure’s legality. The connection cannot be used as proof of any kind regarding the structure,” the BMC said in an official statement.
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