BMC refuses to roll back 10% water cut despite 96% stock level

The BMC administration rejected calls to withdraw the four-month-old 10 per cent water cut during a Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, despite the city's lakes holding 96 per cent of their capacity. Citing concerns over weak September rainfall, officials warned that reserves could be squeezed and indicated the cut would remain until expected October rains replenish stocks.

Corporators from multiple parties—including Shiv Sena (UBT), BJP, MNS, AIMIM, Congress and Shiv Sena (Shinde)—pressed the BMC on water supply issues. They raised concerns about leakages, ageing pipelines, low-pressure supply in several wards, and inadequate service in slum and hilly areas. One corporator claimed nearly 500 million litres of water is lost daily to leakages.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma defended the administration's stance, indicating the civic body expected October rainfall to ease the water crisis.