E-Paper
Pump operators on poll duty, Sion may not get water on voting day
All pump operators who release water to these buildings have been sent on polling duty. Ward officials have issued a notice saying residents must stock water for two days, however, maintaining that they have made alternative arrangements.
Residents of more than 2,000 houses in civic body’s buildings in Sion are likely to face a water shortage on April 28 and 29, the latter being the day Mumbai votes. Reason? All pump operators who release water to these buildings have been sent on polling duty. Ward officials have issued a notice saying residents must stock water for two days, however, maintaining that they have made alternative arrangements.
Keshav Ubale, assistant commissioner, F-North, said, “It is true that all pump operators who release water to these tenanted buildings, which are mostly located in Sahakarnagar and KD Gaikwad Nagar, have been sent on polling duty for two days. We will make sure the water supply remains unaffected.”
Local councillor and Congress opposition leader Ravi Raja has written to the commissioner, stating: “Water is an essential service and if the entire staff is sent on polling duty, citizens would be affected. There are around 1,000 houses in Sahakarnagar and around 1,500 in KD Gaikwad Nagar. The ward and the civic administration must make sure that water supply is not affected.”
Raja further said, “I have been a councillor for five terms and before that worked for elections for many years. Never have I heard or read that essential services were hit because of elections. This is the first time and no water for two days will be a major concern for the citizens.”
Sunil Dhamane, deputy municipal commissioner, who is handling the election duty staff, said, “Around 5,000 civic employees have been sent on temporary duty, which is for two days. However, we make sure essential services are not affected. We have also asked the election commission to relieve medical staff, so health services are not affected.”
