Civic body increases water charges by 2.78 per cent

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday brought the revised water charges into effect. The move comes at a time when Mumbai is facing 10 to 15 per cent water cut. Sunday’s hike translates to a 2.48 per cent increase in water charges.     

Domestic users will now have to pay Rs 5.22 for 1000 liters. At least 70 per cent of the amount constitutes sewerage charges.  Earlier, domestic users had to pay Rs 5.09 for the same. On the other hand, slums now need to pay Rs 4.33 instead of Rs 4.23 for 1,000 litres.

“The BMC increases the water charges annually depending upon operational and maintenance expenditure,” said BMC’s hydraulic engineer, Ashok Tawadia. The hydraulic engineer pointed out that the BMC standing committee had passed a resolution in 2012 allowing the municipal commissioner to increase water charges by up to eight per cent every year.

“The hydraulic department sends the revised charges to the committee every year for intimation. This year’s revised charges were recently tabled before the committee before they could be implemented,” Mr Tawadia said.

The BMC’s hydraulic department expects additional revenue of Rs 27.04 crore from the latest hike. “Our annual expected revenue comes to around Rs 17,000 crore, including through sewerage charges. We meet the target every year. With the 2.48 per cent rise in the charges, we expect to gain around Rs 27 crore this year”, Mr Tawadia noted.