Legal water connections reduced informal water supply economy: Report by University of Mumbai-OxBig News Network

Image used for representational purpose only. File
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

“The access to legal water connections for informal settlements in Mumbai has affected the informal water supply economy, bringing down the exorbitant prices charged by the agents,” an impact assessment report by University of Mumbai Department of Civics and Politics, revealed on Wednesday (April 3, 2025).

Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assured to integrate the recommendations while implementing the ‘water for all’ policy. 

University of Mumbai Department of Civics and Politics in collaboration with Pani Haq Samiti (PHS) released the report titled ‘Water for all: Impact assessment of access to legal drinking water connection to residents of informal settlements in Mumbai.’

The study recommends individual level action and get legal connections instead of depending on local agents for connections, which are illegal. The civic body of Mumbai should also intervene and simplify the process of applying for water connections and no-objection certificate. Mr. Bangar pointed out the BMC should have conducted this survey, however, based on these recommendation, we will implement the policy. 

“If the policy is unable to cater to at least 50-55% of the population living in slums, then, we should change the policy. Under the ‘water for all’ policy, we gave 14,000 connects out of 18,000 applied, this is a huge impact at micro level, but at macro level a small one. The problem is scale.” 

The study authored by Dr. Sanjay Patil, Ankita Bhatkhande and Ravindra Swami observed that the legal water connections have impacted the overall well-being of the residents, including reduction of physical burden of women and young girls, who would usually had to go to fetch water, missing on schools and work. 

The study also pointed out the informal water supply economy was hit strongly, with the agents cutting down the charges of informal connections from ₹1,25,000 to ₹30,000 (one connection, shared by family of five). 

The research was conducted in seven slums of Mumbai east — west suburbs, including Ambojwadi (Malad), Ganpat Patil Nagar in (Borivali West), Kokari Agar (Wadala), Bhim Nagar, Mandala (Mankhurd), and Gautam Nagar, Unit No.2 Aarey colony (Goregaon), interviewing 202 respondents. 

Sanjay Patil said, “Mumbai’s two million people depend on alternate water sources, receiving only 20 litres of water per day affecting their health. Nearly 26% relied on water tanker for the water, making water expensive for them.” 

The legal water connections also saved women from the humiliation. “Women says the biggest change is now they are getting water with respect and no one is nagging them any more,” said Ms. Ankita, adding the physical burden has decreased and girls can practise menstrual hygiene. 

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board does not accept that water bodies are dying, says fishing community

“However, there is need for male awareness and behavioural changes as the men still assume it is women’s job to fill water from taps, which is hardly 10 minutes away,” pointed out Ms. Ankita. 

“We should find the reasons for people not receiving the water. As per my understanding, there are three reasons. One lies in the bias for people in the law, system and provision. Second is technical issues, civic body always claims the planning was done earlier and then the settlements came up. Third, is informal political economy, where corporator itself asks people not to take connections. This needs to be addressed,” said Dr. Amita Bhide- Professor, Centre for Urban Policy and Governance Tata Institute of Social Sciences.