BMC plans to combat water crisis with surprise checks of leakages in government offices

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is trying hard to save water.

It has identified that government offices have leaks in their water taps and pipes and has now formed a special squad that will conduct surprise checks of government offices for these leaks.

Major problem

Anil Diggikar, additional municipal commissioner said, "In most government offices, leaky water taps and pipes are ignored.

This is one major reason for wastage of water." The list of offices has been compiled and the squads have been formed ward-wise.

Diggikar said, "The team will comprise junior engineers from the water department.

If any leak is found, a notice will be issued immediately to the office. If the leak is not corrected in a week's time, the water connection will be disconnected."

Call 108 for help

The BMC helpline number 108, which was being used for swine flu problems till a month back, is now being used for the water crisis.

M L Narvekar, chief officer, disaster management said, "In the past three days, we have got 99 calls related to water crisis, of which at least 25 per cent are related to water leakages and illegal connections.

The problems are forwarded to the respective wards and taken care of."

About the swine flu calls, he said, "We hardly get three to four calls in a day, and on some days there are none."