Aware Mumbaikars to keep a hawk eye on wastage of precious water this Holi

Mumbai: As the state stares at drought and the city at 20%

water

cut, aware Mumbaikars are doing their bit to ensure that the least amount of water is wasted during Holi. Several housing

societies

have decided to fine residents if they waste water; large complexes even plan to monitor their CCTV footage to ensure that children do not play excessively with water guns or pichkaris. On Sunday, TOI had reported how Neptune Apartment in Andheri’s Lokhandwala Complex had proposed a Rs 2,000 fine on water wastage. Prashant Sadan society on Borivli’s Eksar Road has similarly decided to make offenders pay the cost of a water tanker, which is roughly the same amount. Society chairman Hiten Vora said their taps ran dry at 8.30am on Monday and residents had to bathe using water stored in buckets. While the BMC claims that current lake levels will ensure water supply till July-end, certain parts of the city, including Delisle Road and Sane Guruji Marg near Byculla, have already begun to face shortage due to low water pressure in these localities. Chetan Gada, secretary, Om Gajanan society in Mulund West, said, “Consdering that supply has reduced since February-end, there is no water in the tap in the evening.” Civic officials said collective water stocks in the lakes are 16% less now than during the same time in 2015. Several societies have therefore decided to celebrate a completely dry Holi. Ganga Cypress in Mulund and Ameya Society in Chembur are also joining their mite to the cause. “We have imposed a penalty of Rs 500,” said Mahendra Nalla of Cypress. Neptune Apartment in Kandivli will also levy a nominal fine. Parihas Hate of Ameya Society said residents will not be allowed to use the dousing tank. Manufacturers of CCTV equipment are working overtime for the festival. Pramoud Rao, managing director, Zicom, said, “We have received written instructions from more than 35

housing

societies requesting us to keep a watch on residents who waste water. We have activated our centralized monitoring service teams to track such activity. If anyone is found wasting water, a message will be sent from the centre to the society chairman and secretary immediately to enable them to take action.” Pichkari sales have consequently dived. Water balloons, too, have few takers. Natural colours, on the other hand, are in favour. Sonu Mishra, a seller at Dadar station, said, “No one is buying water guns. The rates of the bigger guns have risen to Rs 400 from Rs 300 last year. But smaller, Rs 20 guns are popular. Those who sold pichkaris last year are now selling only colours.” Ajay Kumar, a Crawford Market shopkeeper, said, “The fall in pichkari sales is probably due to scarcity of water.” Schools, too, are doing their bit by creating awareness among their students. Parents and students of Malad’s Fatima Devi High School, for one, organized a rally on Monday with hoardings and placards urging citizens to save water during Holi. Similarly, Euro Schoola sent out a mail to parents requesting responsible use of water. Kandivli’s Gundecha Academy and Thakur Public School have issued similar instructions. Many parents are aware today. Dadar’s Shalini Pandit said, “I have been telling my kids to celebrate with dry colours.” (Inputs by Bella Jaisinghani, Suyash Shinde, Vinamrata Borwankar & Vijay V Singh)