Machine to make water from air: Mumbai mayor’s new suggestion

After suggesting that tablet PCs be given to BMC school students, the Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has now mooted the idea of buying machines that can convert the moisture in the air to water.

After suggesting that tablet PCs be given to BMC school students, the Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has now mooted the idea of buying machines that can convert the moisture in the air to water.

Mayor Snehal Ambekar proposed the idea in a recent group leader’s meeting, through a presentation by the company that manufactures the machines.

The Opposition parties were quick to respond, saying the machines were a waste of the taxpayers’ money.

Each machine cost at least Rs 15 lakh.

“It is a ridiculous idea. Only our Mayor can come up with such ideas every time. We were told the machine can help solve water woes in the future and can be used anywhere in the city. Our city has enough water in its seven dams. Why do we need to spend so much for a few hundred litres?” said Devendra Amberkar, Congress corporator and Opposition party leader.

Sena corporators said the machines will be useful as they can be set up in civic schools and hospitals. The machines do not require a pipeline, but only electricity or any other source of energy to condense, collect, filter and dispense clean drinking water.

Some BJP corporators also slammed the idea, sources said. “There is no need for such technology in our city, when our city lakes fill to the brim every year,” said a BJP corporator.

The company spokesperson, who gave the presentation, said the technology will not only help generate clean water, but also improve the quality of air in the city.