No hike in water charges this year

There will be some relief for Mumbaikars who have been facing water supply shortage this year. They may not have to shell more money for water as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided not to implement the annual eight per cent hike in water supply and sewerage charges.

According to the civic officials, the decision has been taken owing to availability of sufficient funds for water projects.

However, sources said that it has lot to do with the BMC polls scheduled to be held next year. In 2014 too, when the Vidhan Sabha elections were held, the civic body had decided to skip the hike in water charges.

To raise money for new water projects, former commissioner Subodh Kumar had in 2012-13, proposed to hike the water tariff every year by eight per cent for a period of four years. Accordingly, the hike gets implemented from June 16 of every year.

As per the present tariff, rates applicable to domestic users like slums are Rs 3.49 per 1,000 litres, while that of housing societies and buildings are Rs 4.66 per 1,000 litres.

Non-domestic users like non-trading institutions are charged Rs 18.66, commercial institutions Rs 34.99, industrial and commercial institutes Rs 46.65 and racecourse and hotels having three stars and above pay Rs 69.98 per 1,000 litres.

The sewerage charges are also charged at 70 per cent on total water charges. Earlier the rise was 60 per cent, but in April 2015 the civic body decided to increase it by 10 per cent.

“As there are enough funds for water projects, we have decided not to increase water charges,” said a senior civic official.

According to officials, the existing revenue from water charges is Rs 1,388.35 crore.