Maharashtra all set to launch ‘Water for all policy’

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revised ‘Water Policy of Maharashtra’ to provide water to slums and unauthorised settlements on humanitarian grounds.

Under the new policy, the BMC has decided to provide water connections to all slum areas in the state including ones which are on private land and to those in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas. The policy was earlier announced in the Budget 2022-23 by the civic body. However, there is a significant gap in the demand and supply of water in the state. Currently, the cumulative water demand of Maharashtra stands at 4250 million litres daily, while the supply stands at only 3850 million litres. It is believed that the new policy will reduce the water leakage and contamination of water. BMC has also clarified that this does not mean that the beneficiary slums of this policy will be getting legal status.