Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday criticised the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state over the impending strike by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association, alleging that policy failures have worsened the city's water crisis.
The association has called for an indefinite strike from midnight, nearly a year after a similar agitation, raising concerns over water supply in several parts of Mumbai.
In a statement, Thackeray said Mumbai is already facing water shortages due to supply cuts implemented by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. While authorities have stated that the reduction is around 10 per cent, he claimed that some areas are experiencing more severe shortages.
Thackeray alleged that certain regulations of the Central Ground Water Authority are being implemented in a manner that is impractical for Mumbai, affecting the water tanker business on which many residents depend when municipal supply falls short.
He further accused the BJP and the civic administration of failing to deliver on promises made during last year's tanker crisis. According to Thackeray, assurances were given that the rules would be amended, but no meaningful action followed.
The former Maharashtra minister also revived criticism over the cancellation of the proposed desalination project, claiming that if the project had not been scrapped in 2022, it would have been operational by 2025 and helped prevent the current water shortage.
Calling for immediate intervention, Thackeray said the Ministry of Jal Shakti still has the authority to modify the regulations. He alleged that despite the BJP being in power at multiple levels of government, no effort has been made to resolve the issue, leaving Mumbai residents to bear the consequences.
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