Mumbai: Since past few days, the owners of the cattle farms near Aarey have been raising complains regarding lack of drinking water supply for their cattle. The condition results from the breaking of a water pump few days ago.
The Aarey residential colony has been receiving enough drinking water but the nearby Milk Colony which supply milk to large area of the city has been experiencing water shortage since couple of days. There are 28 units in the milk colony and there is a lack of water supply in nearly 20 to 22 of these units, due to the issues in motor or water pump. There are separate connections in the balance units.
No action by Aarey CEO and PWD
The cattle farm owners have blamed Aarey CEO’s office and Public Works Department (PWD) who have failed to get the necessary repairs done in water pump as they are responsible for supplying water to the cattle farm. In a report published by Mid-day, the owners explained that the pump was broken five days ago but has not been repaired until now. They said that they are dependent on private tankers for the water. There are about 10,000 buffaloes which are affected by the water shortage. The owners are compelled to spend Rs 3,000 per day for purchasing water from private tankers.
Additional expenses due to shortage
A cattle farm owner, Siraj Salema, said that the motor stopped working five days ago. All the 22 units lodged complaint with the Aarey CEO and PWD but they took no action. He said that he is spending a total of 3,500 on private water tankers for getting his buffaloes washed and provide them with drinking water. He added that the lack of supply has affected approximately 13,000 to 15,000 cattle.
Low pressure supply in these areas
Similarly, water shortage is being experienced by 27 tribal villages in Aarey. These villages get water between 9 and 10 am, which is provided by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The primary concern of the residents of these areas are that the pressure of the water is very low and the time for which the water is supplied is very less due to which they are experiencing inconvenience.
