Mumbai | September 9, 2026
Mumbai’s 10% water cut is set to continue for now, despite the city’s seven reservoirs holding about 96% of their combined capacity, after councillors renewed demands for its withdrawal ahead of Ganeshotsav. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration has advised residents to use water carefully, citing the possibility of another month without adequate rainfall.
The demand was raised during a meeting of the BMC standing committee on Wednesday, a day after the city’s water shortage was discussed at length in the municipal house. Councillors from multiple parties questioned the administration over low-pressure supply, reports of turbid water and continuing shortages in several parts of Mumbai.
The dispute comes as reservoir levels have reached about 95-96%, prompting elected representatives to argue that the residential water cut should be withdrawn before the festival. However, the administration told committee members that the monsoon had not yet delivered sufficient rainfall and that the remaining period of the rainy season needed to be considered before any decision was taken.
Councillors also raised concerns about the condition of water pipelines, leakages and the resulting loss of treated water. They asked the civic administration about the use of alternative water sources and the reasons for uneven supply across different wards. In Malad, councillors reportedly adjourned a ward committee meeting on Tuesday over the water issue.
Shraddha Jadhav, a Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) councillor, asked when the water cut would be withdrawn. MNS group leader Yashwant Killedar said residents were holding elected representatives accountable for supply problems and referred to the age of Mumbai’s water pipelines, described in the meeting as dating back to the British period.
Pravin Darekar suggested that the 10% cut on residential consumption be withdrawn while restrictions on commercial water use remain in place. Congress councillor Dr Ajanta Yadav also questioned the administration over its earlier promise to provide Mumbai with round-the-clock water supply.
The administration’s position, as reported at the meeting, is that residents must continue to conserve water while the city waits for further rainfall. No decision to withdraw the residential water cut was announced at the standing committee meeting.
