BMC standing committee rejects Rs 8.25 crore road-washing amid Mumbai water cut

BMC’s standing committee rejects Rs 8.25 crore road-washing proposal amid 10% water cut in Mumbai

Mumbai, October 9, 2026: The BMC’s proposal to wash Mumbai’s roads to curb dust pollution was rejected by the Standing Committee on Friday, with corporators across party lines flagging the insensitivity of using even non-potable water for road cleaning amid Maharashtra’s worsening water crisis and drought. The committee directed civic authorities to explore solutions that can suppress road dust without washing.The BMC has proposed washing 377 roads spanning 677 km daily using high-pressure water tankers across seven zones for 150 days, excluding the monsoon, at a cost of Rs 8.25 crore to curb dust pollution from construction, traffic and industrial activity. During Friday's Standing Committee meeting, Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar proposed shelving the road-washing proposal amid the worsening water crisis. Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi called for a hydrant policy to restore and utilise the city’s hydrants for road cleaning, urging the BMC to explore alternative measures to curb rising air pollution.MNS group leader Yashwant Killedar said the surge in construction activity had made dust-control measures imperative, but questioned the availability of water for road washing, even from wells, and sought details on the use of treated water from sewage treatment plants. Standing Committee chairperson Prabhakar Shinde called for developers to be held accountable for controlling dust at construction sites, warning that washing roads amid a water crisis would be insensitive. The proposal to wash the roads was rejected unanimously by the committee.Alternative Measures To Curb Dust PollutionA civic official said road washing was among the measures undertaken by the BMC in compliance with Bombay High Court directions. With the proposal rejected, the civic body will have to explore alternative ways to curb dust pollution. The BMC has already procured vehicle-mounted dust-suction systems, sprinklers and fogging and misting systems for dust suppression.The BMC began washing roads in November 2023 following directions from then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The proposed drive involved 2,000-, 5,000- and 10,000-litre tankers spraying roads with high-pressure water to suppress dust from construction, redevelopment, vehicular and industrial activities. The cleaning operations were scheduled during off-peak hours, particularly between 3 am and 6 am.Also Watch: Mumbai: BMC Plans ₹8.25 Crore Road-Washing Drive Amid 10 Per Cent Water Cut, Opposition Raises QuestionsMumbai’s Water Stock And SupplyMumbai’s seven lakes held 13,64,045 million litres (ML) of useful live storage as of October 9, against a combined capacity of 14,47,363 ML. The BMC supplies 4,100 ML of water daily, while the deficit is 500 ML per day.According to BMC projections, the stock could last until June 10, 2027, without a water cut or retention of reserve storage, and until September 5, 2027, if the existing 10 per cent cut continues and approved reserves in Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa are maintained.The BMC imposed a 10 per cent water cut from May 15. Amid drought-like conditions, the Maharashtra government has ordered a minimum 10 per cent cut across the state from October 16, directing urban and rural local bodies to implement the measure and industries to recycle at least 30 per cent of their water use.The state’s dams ended the four-month monsoon season with average water availability of 75.25 per cent, down from 88.82 per cent during the same period last year.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai, October 7, 2026: Amid a worsening water crisis and drought across Maharashtra, the BMC plans to spend Rs 8.25 crore to wash 677 km of Mumbai’s roads to curb air pollution. With the city already facing a 10% water cut and water rationing expected across the state, the move has drawn sharp opposition. Opposition parties have questioned the use of precious water and public funds—for road washing amid looming shortages.To curb rising air and dust pollution, the BMC plans to wash 377 public roads spanning 677 km across Mumbai every day. Water tankers equipped with jetting systems will be deployed across seven zones for 150 days, excluding the monsoon, at an estimated cost of Rs 8.25 crore. According to the proposal submitted to the Standing Committee for approval on Thursday, 2,000-, 5,000- and 10,000-litre tankers will spray roads with high-pressure water to control dust generated by construction, redevelopment, vehicular and industrial activities.“Separate contractors have been appointed for each zone. The exercise will help curb dust pollution while improving road cleanliness,” claimed the civic official. However, opposition parties have questioned the plan, citing the ongoing water shortage. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader Yashwant Killedar said, “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.”Opposition Questions Water UseCongress group leader Ashraf Azmi said, “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.”Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde said, “We will first hear what the BMC administration has to say about the source of water to be used for washing the roads. A decision can be taken after the administration provides clarity on the matter.”Also Watch: Mumbai: BMC Orders 24x7 Action On Contaminated-Water Complaints After 1,514 Cases In 2026Water Stock And Supply OutlookThe seven lakes supplying Mumbai currently hold 13,68,827 million litres (ML) of useful live storage against a combined capacity of 14,47,363 ML. According to BMC’s water-supply planning data, the city’s stock could last until September 5, 2027, if the existing 10% water cut continues and the approved reserve storage in Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa—Mumbai’s key water sources—is maintained. However, the BMC has not imposed any water cuts on swimming pools yet, with an official saying their water consumption is negligible.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

The proposal has put the BMC's water-use priorities under scrutiny, particularly over whether road-washing should be done while the city is dealing with a shortage of water