Action plan submitted to Chief Minister demands firm policy steps and strict water conservation across the state
Mumbai — In view of deficient rainfall this year and depleted groundwater levels, Maharashtra faces a high probability of severe water scarcity in the coming months. To tackle this impending crisis, Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad has submitted a comprehensive action plan to the State Government, demanding immediate and stringent measures.
Against the backdrop of 265 talukas across 32 districts being preliminarily declared drought-affected, Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, National President of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, has submitted a formal representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan.
With several key dams across the state having barely 20% to 30% water reserves, citizens, farmers, and industries are heading towards an acute water crisis. Considering the gravity of the situation, Advocate Ichalkaranjikar urged the government to formulate strict preventive regulations to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drinking water and prevent water wastage.
Action plan proposed to Government
- Shut down all private and commercial swimming pools across the state until further notice.
- Completely prohibit the use of potable water at commercial car washing centres, and make the use of recycled water mandatory instead.
- Strictly enforce the use of treated sewage water for construction activities instead of potable water.
- Immediately activate functional rainwater harvesting systems in all government and private buildings.
- Make wastewater recycling units mandatory in hotels, shopping malls, and large residential complexes.
- Prohibit the use of potable water for gardening, cleaning footpaths, and washing roads.
- Immediately cancel IPL matches in Maharashtra, noting the large quantities of water used for each match and for pitch maintenance.
- Implement a policy promoting Indian-style toilets in all government offices and housing units, noting that Western-style toilets consume approximately 3 to 6 litres of water per flush.
Immediate action plan needed for sewage water recycling
Thousands of millions of litres of untreated sewage are discharged directly into rivers and streams across Maharashtra every day. To prevent environmental damage and water wastage, water recycling plants must be established and operated at full capacity across all Municipal Councils, Municipal Corporations, and MIDC areas.
An action plan prioritising treated wastewater for agricultural and irrigation purposes must be implemented immediately.
Strict cap on water consumption in liquor and beverage production
Massive quantities of water are consumed in the manufacture of beer, soft drinks, and liquor. In India, producing 20 to 25 million litres of soft drinks daily reportedly consumes 50 to 70 million litres of water, while producing 30 to 50 million litres of beer and alcoholic beverages uses a staggering 3,000 to 7,000 million litres of water per day.
In view of the drought conditions, it is imperative to immediately impose caps and restrictions on the supply of water to such non-essential industries.
The availability of drinking water must take precedence over luxury, entertainment, and non-essential businesses. The State Government must exercise its powers under the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act and the Drought Code to take immediate and firm decisions in this regard, stated Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar.
