KDMC meet adjourned sans any solutions

MUMBAI, December 18: It was an answer seeking session, but the solutions were few and questions galore.And finally the standing committee c...

MUMBAI, December 18: It was an answer seeking session, but the solutions were few and questions galore.

And finally the standing committee chairperson of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Vilas Mhatre adjourned the meeting. Committee members, none of them able to think of a solution to the acute water shortage in the twin city for the past two days, looked relieved.

The issue was raised by Vanita Patil (BJP) before the actual proceedings of the committee began. She wanted to know why despite repeated discussions on the water problem, nothing concrete

had been done by the administration. Soon the entire house was excitedly discussing the same.

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While Ramesh Jadhav (Sena) wanted a more equitable distribution of available water resources, deputy mayor Uday Samel (Sena) wanted to find out why the administration was quiet about the fact that only two out of the 12 filtration and pumping units were working along the Ulhas river from where water is provided to the KDMC. Anil Bhade (BJP) asked, “Why are we spending money on rewinding pumps which seem to conk out quite often? Is all the money being provided for water supply related work was being used properly?” Sridhar Mhatre (Cong) was annoyed that the water supply to Dombivli Gymkhana was not being cut though they are not paying taxes to the KDMC and Vaman Mhatre (Sena) put the blame for the problem on what he told the House was theft of 15 MLD water everyday. “Stop this and half your water problem is solved,” he said.

KDMC commissioner Madhukar Kokate said, “Due to low water level there was a problem,” adding, “on our instructions to the Barvi dam authorities excess water was released from the Ulhas river and normal water supply has been resumed.” However, it can happen again any time. He pointed out that being at the tail end of a host of companies like the National Rayon Company, Century Rayon and others the KDMC always gets worst hit when the river levels dip.