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BMC Road-Washing Plan Draws Questions Amid Water Shortage
Mumbai’s civic body wants to wash many roads with water to reduce dust.
The plan would cover 377 roads across the city.
Tankers with water jets would work every day for 150 days, except during the monsoon.
The project is expected to cost ₹8.25 crore.
But Mumbai is already facing a 10% water cut.
Opposition leaders say the civic body should explain where the water will come from and whether it should be used for roads.
A civic official says the washing is intended to reduce dust pollution and improve cleanliness.
The proposal is to be considered by the Standing Committee, which says it wants answers about the water source first.
The city’s lakes currently have substantial water in storage, according to the report.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposes spending ₹8.25 crore to wash 377 public roads covering 677 kilometres.
The plan calls for daily tanker-based washing across seven zones for 150 days, excluding the monsoon.
The proposal says high-pressure water jets would help control dust from construction, redevelopment, vehicles and industry.
Opposition representatives questioned the water source and the use of water and public funds during a 10% water cut.
The city’s seven supplying lakes hold 13,68,827 million litres of useful live storage; the proposal awaits Standing Committee consideration.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposed the plan; opposition leaders questioned it, and the Standing Committee is to consider it.
- What
- A proposed ₹8.25 crore programme to wash 377 public roads covering 677 kilometres using water tankers.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- The report is dated October 7, 2026; the proposed operation would run for 150 days, excluding the monsoon.
- Why
- The civic body says the programme would control dust pollution and improve road cleanliness.
Supporters of road washing
Opponents and water-use concerns
Dust control and road cleanliness
Supporters of road washing
A civic official said tanker washing would help curb dust pollution and improve road cleanliness.
Opponents and water-use concerns
Opposition representatives said the civic body must explain the water source and questioned using water and public money for road washing during shortages.
Whether non-potable water is acceptable
Supporters of road washing
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi suggested non-potable water might be used and asked how supply and contractor performance would be managed.
Opponents and water-use concerns
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader Yashwant Killedar said he would oppose using even non-potable water to wash roads.
Key facts
- Estimated cost
- ₹8.25 crore
- Roads covered
- 377 public roads, spanning 677 kilometres
- Planned duration
- 150 days, excluding the monsoon
- Deployment
- Water tankers across seven zones
- Tanker sizes
- 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 litres
- Current water cut
- 10%
- Lake storage
- 13,68,827 million litres of useful live storage, against combined capacity of 14,47,363 million litres
- Approval status
- Proposal submitted to the Standing Committee; its chairman said the committee would seek clarity on the water source before deciding.
Quotes
Yashwant Killedar
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader
“We understand the need to control rising pollution, but where will the water come from? If water can be arranged to wash roads, the same non-potable water could be used for washing clothes, cars and other purposes. We want the BMC administration to explain how it plans to ensure water supply and manage the operation if the appointed contractor fails to procure water.”
freepressjournal.in
“While the state government is appealing to people to save water, the ruling BJP is planning to use it for washing roads. Even if non-potable water is used, we will not allow it to be wasted on roads.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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