Bombay HC equates Thane’s water problem with Marathwada

Mumbai: The Bombay high Court pulled up Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), saying, “if water problem of Thane district is not handled properly then the situation will become like Marathwada.”  The High Court heard the petition, which alleged that TMC frequently announced drinking water cuts but construction sites were provided regular water supply.

The high court has asked state government to explain the water policy of the state within three weeks. Questioning TMC, the Bombay high court asked, “What long-term measures the municipal corporation had taken to tackle the water shortage issue.”

A division bench of Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni was hearing a petition filed by Mangesh Shelar who stated in the petition that Thane Municipal Corporation had issued notification for water cuts on 6th and 7th February 2016. The petition claimed that construction sites are provided water regularly, and there is no concrete plan to address the issue of water shortage.

Petitioner stated that there was13 percent increase in the sale of flats in the Thane city From June to December 2015. The petitioner alleged that water shortage problem is due to increase in construction work.  Petitioner claimed that under the Constitution of India providing waters to the city is the responsibility of local municipal corporation and TMC has failed to perform its constitutional duties. He also alleged that permissions for constructions are given arbitrarily.