Supply from Vaitarna stopped

A day after it insisted that the yellow-tinted water coming through taps in some areas of the city was safe for drinking, the municipal corporation on Tuesday decided to get the water samples tested through independent agencies.

A day after it insisted that the yellow-tinted water coming through taps in some areas of the city was safe for drinking, the municipal corporation on Tuesday decided to get the water samples tested through independent agencies.

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The state government, too, swung into action on Tuesday with water supply minister Laxman Dhoble saying he would visit the two lakes to find out why Mumbaiites were receiving the coloured water.

After doubts were raised on the civic laboratory reports that certified that the water with a yellowish tint was fit for consumption, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to undertake a third-party test to check the quality of water.

While the BMC is awaiting these reports, it has stopped withdrawing water from Upper Vaitarna.

The municipal corporation has asked the University Institution of Chemical Technology and Indian Institute of Technology to check the water for chemical reaction and whether it is fit for consumption or not.

“The third-party laboratory tests report is expected within 24-48 hours and will be submitted to the civic standing committee,” additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.

In a related development, the state’s water supply minister Laxman Dhoble said he would visit Modak Sagar and Upper Vaitarna lakes to find out why the water supplied from there was yellow.

He said he would also check whether the water purification plants at the lakes were outdated.

“I will submit a report on my visit to the chief minister and deputy chief minister for further action,” Dhoble said.

The civic body’s move came after corporators across part lines slammed the BMC on Tuesday in the civic general body meeting for not knowing the reason for the yellow-tinted water.

Corporators also complained about no action by new municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar.

Opposition leader Rajhans Singh along with other party corporators walked out of the civic general body meeting after the BMC couldn’t give them a definitive answer.

“Several children in Dahisar have been admitted to hospitals after consuming the yellow water,” Dahisar corporator Sheetal Mhatre said.

Dharmesh Vyas, a Congress corporator, claimed that eight people had been diagnosed with cholera after consuming the yellow water.