'BMC ignoring our complaints'

Corporators and MLAs blamed the civic administration for the doubling of water contamination levels in Mumbai over the past year, alleging that officials were lax in maintaining pipelines. HT reports.

Corporators and MLAs blamed the civic administration for the doubling of water contamination levels in Mumbai over the past year, alleging that officials were lax in maintaining pipelines.

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Corporators said the administration did nothing despite repeated complaints.

Annie Shekhar, the MLA from Colaba, where the second highest contamination levels were recorded, said: "This is a major problem in my constituency. I have written to the municipal commissioner demanding that the water pipeline be replaced."

Ward A, of which Colaba is a part, recorded a contamination level of 31.70 per cent. The average contamination recorded across the 24 wards was 26.10 per cent; in 2008-09 it was 13.80 per cent. The highest contamination level was recorded in Goregaon — 39.90 per cent.

"The civic body is neglecting us. Jeejamata Nagar in Goregaon (West) has been getting contaminated water for the last six months. We have complained repeatedly, but the ward office has done little about it," said Sachin Chavan, a resident of Goregaon (West).

Sameer Desai, corporator from Goregaon, said the administration ignores residents' complaints.

Rahul Shewale, chairman of the civic Standing Committee, said the civic administration should take steps to immediately improve the quality of water.

"The distribution network is old and should be changed; the civic body should undertake this work immediately," said Avinash Kulkarni, a Santacruz resident.