Mumbai Water Tanker Association has announced to end the strike after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured them that their demands will be considered. The Association was on strike to protest against the implementation of Central guidelines for bulk water supply and (action by) Mumbai Police.

The strike affected water supply for major infrastructure projects, hotels, malls and clubs, an association member claimed on Tuesday.

The association held a meeting with Mumbai (suburban) guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis that was also attended by officials of the Mumbai civic body and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

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“The Deputy Chief Minister has agreed to consider our demands. Also, he assured that the government will come up with a solution on CGWA guidelines,” Rajesh Thakur, a representative of the association, said. He said the association members will meet other members “finalize the decision”.

Meanwhile, Guardian minister Lodha said that there are issues which need to be addressed. The Deputy Chief Minister has assured the demands will be considered and tankers won`t be troubled unnecessarily. “The successful intervention has benefitted the Mumbai residents and we hope the regular water supply will resume.”

Ankur Sharma, a spokesperson for Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA) said the implementation of guidelines issued by the CGWA, responsible to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in the country, is not feasible.

“Tanker owners are being slapped with notices for the last few months by various departments of the BMC. Earlier this month, the BMC wrote to the Mumbai police commissioner asking to file FIRs against tanker operators violating the guidelines,” Sharma said.

He said tanker operators are ready to apply for the license and pay revenue as mandated by CGWA, but they can`t fulfil other guidelines which state that private tanker owners must have a land parcel of 2,000 sqft for drawing underground water. The guidelines also say that tanker owners and suppliers will have to pay Rs 6,50,000 to the local administration as a security deposit and that not more than five tankers can draw water from a specific point.

According to MWTA, nearly 2,500 tankers supply water in Mumbai and 550 families of tanker owners are dependent on this business, apart from the staff employed by them.

“We have been in this business for more than 60 years and supply potable and non-potable water to major infrastructure projects, railways, hotels, malls, clubs, eateries, and housing societies,” Sharma said. (With inputs from PTI)

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