Amid the approaching Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, May 7 inaugurated the "Water For All" policy of the BMC.
According to reports, the policy looks to offer water connections to the unmapped settlements of the city. These include slum clusters, erstwhile villages, fishing village settlements as well as illegal non-slum residential structures.
Through the policy, residents of unauthorised settlements on government land parcels such as railways, forest departments and collector's land will be benefited. Till now, the BMC was not offering water connections to illegal or unauthorised structures.
While the policy has been initiated on humanitarian grounds, the provision of water supply will not be validated as a document for claiming ownership or title of a property before a court of law.
Taking to Twitter, Thackeray said, "Ensuring equality of access to clean drinking water for all residents of Mumbai, CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray today launched @mybmc’s 'Water for All' policy. Under this, slums and buildings without occupancy certificates (OC) can enable formal sources of clean drinking water."
Ensuring equality of access to clean drinking water for all residents of Mumbai, CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray today launched @mybmc’s 'Water for All' policy. Under this, slums and buildings without occupancy certificates (OC) can enable formal sources of clean drinking water. pic.twitter.com/M8M8crB2iv
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 7, 2022
Based on accounts, the policy document elucidates that the water connection will be offered through the usual "Stand Post Connection" to a minimum of 15 slum dwellers. The Stand post water system is a tap supported by a riser pipe from which people can draw water. These posts will reportedly be connected to the main water supply valves of the civic body.
It has been reported to use the policy, applicants will have to go to the local ward office, with identity proof and proof of the duration of their stay in the vicinity.
However, drainage facilities will have to be made at the applicant's expense. They will also have to acquire NOC from the civic body's departments for adequate management of wastewater drainage implementation.
Moreover, if the network is not adequately maintained by users, the connection will be terminated. Similarly, those ineligible for this policy include dilapidated buildings that have been categorised as C-1 structures, roadside hutments and shanties on footpaths.
Aaditya Thackeray, Mumbai suburban guardian minister on the occasion said, "Although it doesn’t change the legal status of the type of residence, it will enable citizens living in slums or buildings without OCs to have access to safe and clean water."
CM Uddhav Thackeray ji has pushed for this remarkable policy to ensure a right to life with dignity for every citizen by providing access to clean drinking water. While doing so, this policy will also eradicate the illegal connections that disrupt and pollutes the water supply. pic.twitter.com/sT2VCejaPp
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 7, 2022
Also Read: Mumbai: Amid Approaching Monsoon, BMC Achieves 34% Of Its Drain Cleaning Target
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