NMMC bows to consumers` pressure; slashes water hike

NMMC bows to consumers` pressure; slashes water hike In view of stiff opposition from water consumers from all over Navi Mumbai, NMMC has gone on back foot and announced slashing the hike in water charges. On Monday, Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata had brought a proposal for slashing the water hike in front of the General Body. He informed the new revised rates will be Rs 50 per month for consumption of less than 30,000 liters water per household. If the consumption is more than this then charges will be Rs 4.75 paise per 1,000 liters. Earlier, residents were paying a flat rate calculated on the basis of the size of a house. For example, for a house of 25 square meters Rs 60 per month had to be paid and for a house above RH 4 size the amount was Rs 100 per month. However, this system used to create a big problem for residents of higher floors. They hardly used to get enough water if residents on lower floors kept their taps on continuously, misusing the available water. As per the norms of JNNURM and with the view to provide 24 x 7 water supply to all residents, NMMC acquired Morbe dam. To make the water reach all residents hundreds of crores of rupees are spent for laying new pipelines. But to ensure that the water is not misused, the corporation installed water meters in each house. It also revised old water rates. And as per the new rates residents who were consuming water below 25,000 liters per month were made to pay Rs 4.75 paise per 1,000 liters. Similarly, households consuming more than 50,000 liters water per month were made to pay bill at a rate of Rs 15.50 paise per 1,000 litres. This is what invited opposition from all over Navi Mumbai. Nahata's proposal was welcomed by all the members of the General Body but with a few suggestions. n Rs 4. 75 paise per 1000 liter must be levied on the amount of water consumed above 30,000 liters instead of the total consumption. n Rs 11 and above per 1000 liter rates levied on public places, NGOs, religious organizations, government and NGO-run educational institutions etc., must also be reduced to Rs 5-7. n Similarly, demands were made to reduce rates levied on commercial usage, which is between Rs 33 to Rs 53 per 1000 liter. However, major complaints of members were regarding the meters installed by NMMC. Corporator Bharat Nakhate of Vashi said, "40 percent of water meters installed are found to be faulty as well as having leakages." Chandrabhaga More of Koper Khairane complained that more than 90 percent of meters installed have been pilfered in his area. Shivram Patil added, "Due to technical glitches, people are forced to pay up huge bills." After listening to members, Nahata announced that he will be conducting a random survey of households to find faults and action will be taken accordingly. Executive engineer, NMMC Water Department, Sanjay Desai informed "To ensure that there is no misuse of water our vigilance team will be on the move and anyone found guilty will be fined." Executive engineer, NMMC Water Department, Sanjay Desai informed "To ensure that there is no misuse of water our vigilance team will be on the move and anyone found guilty will be fined."