[Reader-list] 5th post : slums, water contractors and plumbers
tushar bhor
tushar_bhor at yahoo.com
Thu Jun 8 11:13:42 IST 2006
5th Posting :
Working Title: WATER LENSES
Prelude for new imagination for urban water of Mumbai.
This posting is in reference to inventory in slum pockets of eastern
suburban parts [Trombay] of Mumbai. The stories briefly mention about
the two important players , water contractor and plumber, important for
acquisition and sustenance of the water system. The next step will be
to get the details about these two players.
Slums, Water contractors and Plumbers.
..this clarifies, on contrary, Mumbai Municipal Corporation said that
water cannot reach the heights, people have demonstrated the way in
which water problem can be solved.
- Students of CORO Samiti [this story is covered with ex-students of
CORO samiti. CORO is a organization who organizes short courses in
social development in Mumbai]
Community tactics and human exploitation goes hand in hand for the case
of Sahyadri in reference to the water issue. Communities have managed
to acquire water through different means; on another hand it is
adversely affecting the health and education of women and children
respectively. Women are vehicles for transporting the water, affecting
maternal health and children queuing at community tap are found
attending school very late. Sahyadri nagar is a slum pocket located on
hill top in eastern suburban parts of Mumbai. Being located on a hill
top, water is a perennial problem and water acquisition becomes
important part of routine life. History says that prior to 1995, the
cluster was deprived of basic facilities like water and electricity and
even local corporaters did not visit the site. Now the cluster receives
or rather acquires water through following means:
- Through Mumbai Municipal Corporation [MMC] Supply.
- Through Formation of groups
- Through Individual based connections
MMC with the intension to supply water to sahyadri nagar, constructed
over head tank at the base of hill. The tank also have a capacity to
supply water to the near by cluster of Rahul nagar and Ganesh nagar.
Single network of pipes were laid for supplying water to all the three
clusters, but eventually due to less pressure at the hill top, sahyadri
nagar is still facing water problems. So certain dwellers have to
collect water from the community tap in the clusters at the base or
alternately buy water from vendors.
Secondly, groups have routed up and thru help of water contractor
[locally called as contractor, who helps communities to acquire illegal
connection form MMC network] managed to install taps for group of
houses. This connection cost them around Rs. 60,000- 70,000. Once the
tap is installed, the group benefiting does not pay any water charges
to MMC and only have to look after the operational and maintenance cost
of electric motor.
Individual connections are also taken for Approx. Rs. 60,000 - 70,000.
Other than serving the family, this connection is intentionally taken
for selling water to neighbours at Rs. 1 /can. A family depended on
this; spend about Rs. three hundred or so, which some times account
less than MMC water charges.
A story of Siddharth colony:
Siddharth colony is blessed with water for 24 hrs. The reason being a
main MMC water pipe passes near by the colony. Previously before some
years there were 4 community taps provided by corporation, but
eventually the supply was stopped by the MMC with the advent of rust,
contaminating the water and was declared unsafe for human consumption.
Today almost 90% of household connections are illegally acquired and
are connected to the main MMC pipe line passing nearby. The main player
involved in installing the connection is the local Plumber. To quote a
resident, no outside plumbers can solve the water problem as colony
plumbers only have the idea about all the connections. The network of
underground pipe lines are highly depended upon these local plumbers
for any kind or repair or maintenance or even during obtaining new
connection. Almost 90% of residents do not pay water charges to MMC and
enjoy full time water supply.
TUSHAR BHOR
ARCHITECT and INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER.
Residence Address:
10/60, Madhu Sadan,Sion(w),Mumbai400022,Maharashtra,India.
Tel. No: +91 22 24083828.
Mobile: +91 98190 35176.
E mail: tushar_bhor at yahoo.com
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