The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is grappling with a significant staffing shortfall in its hydraulic department, according to the Municipal Karmchari Kamgaar Union.
Despite recent instructions from the BMC Commissioner to address water supply complaints promptly, the union has highlighted that the department is critically undermanned, with at least 80 sluiceman positions remaining vacant. The shortage of sluicemen—responsible for operating water valves according to scheduled timings—has led to existing staff working double shifts, placing an excessive burden on them. Chaviwalas, who are supervisors of sluicemen, have also been required to step in to cover these vacant roles.
The ongoing issue has been exacerbated by a lack of follow-through on BMC’s promises to recruit additional staff, leaving current employees overworked and overstretched. The vice president of the Municipal Karmchari Kamgaar Union reported that sluicemen are not only required to work extended hours but are also tasked with additional duties beyond their job descriptions, such as assisting engineers with inspections of water leaks and thefts during their breaks. Chaviwalas, who have been promoted from sluiceman positions, are similarly pressed into service, which dilutes their ability to oversee operations effectively.
A chaviwala from the B ward, covering areas such as Sandhurst Road and Masjid Bandar, expressed frustration over the situation. Many sluicemen have retired, died, or been promoted, creating a void that has strained the remaining staff. This chaviwala, who requested anonymity, lamented the futility of his promotion, as he is still performing the same tasks as before, thereby compromising his supervisory responsibilities. The water department currently operates at 50% of its sanctioned strength, with approximately 4,100 out of 10,500 scheduled posts unfilled. On May 29, union representatives met with hydraulic department officials to discuss these issues. The department had promised to submit a proposal for filling vacancies and improving staff conditions, including the provision of essential protective gear, which has been lacking for over two years.
Despite these promises, progress has been slow. An official from the hydraulic department, who was present at the meeting, attributed the delays to bureaucratic hurdles involving the labour and distribution control departments. As a result, the anticipated improvements in staffing and equipment have yet to materialise, leaving the department in a state of disarray. The persistent staffing issues highlight the urgent need for BMC to address recruitment and resource allocation more effectively. Until these challenges are resolved, the water department’s capacity to manage Mumbai’s water supply efficiently will remain compromised.
