Pre-paid Privatisation: D-Day at Dinanath

Cinematographer: Zulekha Sayyed and Jaishilla Chauhan

Duration: 02:04:23; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 23.401; Saturation: 0.157; Lightness: 0.179; Volume: 0.296; Cuts per Minute: 4.711; Words per Minute: 66.556

A public meeting took place at Dinanath Mangeshkar hall in Vile Parle (East) on 13th November,2007. It was called ostensibly to discuss the problems of water supply in Mumbai and pose solutions. One of the proposed 'solutions' was the installation of prepaid meters. The meeting was christened Sujal Mumbai meaning 'good water' for Mumbai and was hosted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in collaboration with Castalia, a French multi-national consultancy. It was attended by BMC officials including Manu Srivastav, Additional Commissioner of the BMC and members of the standing committee which was headed by Ravindra Waiker, Corporator of Ward 68, 23 Community Base Organisations (CBO) and 20 Non – Government Organisations (NGO). The meeting was extensively covered by news agencies.

BMC was and still is trying to privatise the water department through the installation of prepaid meters which will be operated by contractors. K-East Ward, which comprises of Andheri (East), Jogeshwari (East) and Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, was considered as a 'Pilot project'. The project was severely criticised by NGO's and CBO's as it was a blatant action to privatise the water supply. This was the second such meeting in 2007, the previous one was held in Mayor's Hall, Andheri (West) on June 2nd, 2007, only difference being that the focus of the 1st meeting was on K- East ward only while the 2nd outlined a project for all of Mumbai with K-East Ward being a guinea pig. The plan of privatising water at the Mumbai level in a sense backfired as it made a considerable section of the populace aware of the ongoing process.

Since the onset of the meeting, it was abundantly clear that the BMC had made up its mind and had taken the decision. The BMC was being ruled by the right wing Shiv Sena party, whose member is Ravindra Waikar. This meeting was also 'coincidently' held in Vile Parle (East) which is a Shiv Sena bastion.

What occured in Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall on the 13th of November 2007 - see for yourself.

So in summary, I think, we found that technical problems underlying these service(?) problems amount to a lot of poor quality distribution network, which handles(?) complex chain of logic..
Castalia
Castalia is a French strategy advisor which specialises in consultation regarding organisation of public services. Castalia pioneered public private partnerships in infrastructure around the world. The firm drew on French models such as lease and concession contracts, and adapted them to work in diverse circumstances in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The impact of their work can be vividly seen in every country they have worked especially in the African and Latin American countries.
K-East ward
Prepaid meter
Water Privatisation
Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai

Marathi :
So in summary, I think, we found that technical problems underlying these service(?) problems amount to a lot of poor quality distribution network, which handles(?) complex chain of logic..

Because the pipes are old and broken in places the system is only pressurized for about 6 hours in the day, because otherwise far too much water would leak out from these old pipes.

Marathi :
Because the pipes are old and broken in places the system is only pressurized for about 6 hours in the day, because otherwise far too much water would leak out from these old pipes.

The problem if the old pipes don't have water in them, contaminated ground water can seep into the pipe, contaminating the water supply, especially in the monsoon period when the ground water level rises.

Marathi :
The problem if the old pipes don't have water in them, contaminated ground water can seep into the pipe, contaminating the water supply, especially in the monsoon period when the ground water level rises.

In addition to that, there are some mains(?), that are frequently failing. They are in very bad condition, they frequently fail. These cause (?) interruption possibly and possibly service interruption ...possibly also contamination points.

Marathi :
In addition to that, there are some mains(?), that are frequently failing. They are in very bad condition, they frequently fail. These cause (?) interruption possibly and possibly service interruption ...possibly also contamination points.

...which break, leak and get contaminated.

Marathi :
...which break, leak and get contaminated.

Finally, 50 percent approximately of the meters don't work, which may be unfair because people are billed on their estimated bill while their average consumption and maybe lead to people to waste water, because they don't pay for the additional consumption.

Marathi :
Finally, 50 percent approximately of the natives don't work, which may be unfair because people are billed on their average(?) consumption and maybe lead to people to waste water, because they don't pay for the additional consumption.

We said that a lot of the problem is because of leaking pipes, meaning that...and this is why water supply must be restricted, and to answer the question of water losses, and how to reduce water losses.

Marathi :
We said that a lot of the problem is because of leaking pipes, meaning that...and this is why water supply must be restricted, and to answer the question of water losses, and how to reduce water losses.

Across Mumbai as a whole, NCGA states that water losses, leakage and water which is taken but not billed for, is about 20 percent. We found for K-east ward also, the figure is about 20 percent.

Marathi :
Across Mumbai as a whole, NCGA states that water losses, leakage and water which is taken but not billed for, is about 20 percent. We found for K-east ward also, the figure is about 20 percent.

By international standards, 20 percent sounds quite good, but I want to give you another perspective, another way of thinking about this.

Marathi:
By international standards, 20 percent sounds quite good, but I want to give you another perspective, another way of thinking about this.

..which relates to the intermittent supply. So K-east ward 540 megalitres flows in and in the 6 hours on average for which the pipes are pressurized, 110 megalitres a day are lost.

Marathi:
..which relates to the intermittent supply. So K-east ward 540 megalitres flows in and in the 6 hours on average for which the pipes are pressurized, 110 megalitres a day are lost.

Now water losses are more or less proportional to the amount of time for which the pipes are pressurized. So if the supply was to rise to 24 hours, 4 times the current duration, it means that the water losses would also rise by 4 times.

Marathi:
Now water losses are more or less proportional to the amount of time for which the pipes are pressurized. So if the supply was to rise to 24 hours, 4 times the current duration, it means that the water losses would also rise by 4 times.

It means roughly 440 megalitres a day would be lost.

It means roughly 440 mega litres a day would be lost.

And in fact its because that number is so huge, why NCGA chooses to only pressurize the system for 6 hours.

Marathi:
And in fact its because that number is so huge, why NCGA chooses to only pressurize the system for 6 hours.

And if we want to get to 24 hours supply, with the pipes as they are now, it means we would need an additional 340 megalitres per day of input to the K-east ward and in total 50 percent would be lost and the other 50 percent (?)

Marathi :
And if we want to get to 24 hours supply, with the pipes as they are now, it means we would need an additional 340 megalitres per day of input to the K-east ward and in total 50 percent would be lost and the other 50 percent (?)

So I go through this to illustrate that the bad condition of the network is really what lies behind the intermittent supply, which lies behind many a (?)'s problems.

How could this be fixed technically? We think an intergrated water loss reduction project is the answer.

Marathi :
How could this be fixed technically? We think an intergrated water loss reduction project is the answer.

And this means a set of interventions, like repairing the mains, finding your leaks and fixing them, putting in pressure control systems, regularizing illegal connections, fixing the meters and updating customer database. All these things together can tackle the problem of water losses.

Marathi :
And this means certain interventions, like repairing the mains, finding your leaks and fixing them, putting in pressure control systems, regularizing ? connections, fixing the meters and updating customer database. All these things together can tackle the problem of water losses.

And if all of those things were done, it would be possible to achieve 24 hours supply, far fewer interruptions to service, better quality water and more equitable distribution of the water with the current ? water allocation that K-east ward has.

Marathi :
And if all of those things were done, it would be possible to achieve 24 hours supply, far fewer interruptions to service, better quality water and more equitable distribution of the water with the current ? water allocation that K-east ward has.

Given these technical findings, let's go on to consider the indications of acting on these findings. ...We also want to mention the slum networks, which - as you can see are not in good shape.

Marathi :
Given these technical findings, let's go on to consider the indications of acting on these findings. ...We also want to mention the slum networks, which - as you can see are not in good shape.

And so we recommend proper...

And we came to understand it was due to some inherent constraints in the departmental system of operation.

Marathi :
And we came to understand it was due to some inherent constraints in the departmental system of operation.

To mention just a few, the water supply and sanitation department doesn't have a cadre of specialized engineers. Engineers can be transferred from that department to other departments, making it difficult to build up long term experience in water supply.

Marathi :
To mention just a few, the water supply and sanitation department doesn't have a cadre of specialized engineers. Engineers can be transferred from that department to other departments, making it difficult to build up long term experience in water supply.

There's been a hiring freeze. So as the system has grown, the number of engineers is shrinking.

Marathi :
There's been a hiring freeze. So as the system has grown, the number of engineers is shrinking.

There is no performance pays. People who work hard are not rewarded financially for their contribution.

Mumbai :
There is no performance pays. People who work hard are not rewarded financially for their contribution.

On the financial side, the managers of an area don't control the budget for that area. Equipment that may be necessary - health and safety equipment, communications equipment, preventive maintenance - may not be budgeted for.

Marathi :
On the financial side, the managers of an area don't control the budget for that area. Equipment that may be necessary - health and safety equipment, communications equipment, preventive maintenance - may not be budgeted for.

To me one of the most amazing things was to see that the ward engineer, the one in charge of water supply to almost a million people, has a delegated expenditure authority of 250 rupees.

Marathi :
To me one of the most amazing things was to see that the ward engineer, the one in charge of water supply to almost a million people, has a delegated expenditure authority of 250 rupees.

Obviously this makes it difficult to respond quickly to customer complaints to fix problems if you have to go far up the chain to get approval for expenditure.

Marathi :
Obviously this makes it difficult to respond quickly to customer complaints to fix problems if you have to go far up the chain to get approval for expenditure.

And finally, there's a sense of frustration between the department and the customers, the corporaters(?), which we thought might be traced to the lack of clear targets by which the hydraulic engineers department could be held accountable. Its not clear to everybody exactly what they are supposed to be doing and are they doing it or not.

Marathi :
And finally, there's a sense of frustration between the department and the customers, the corporators(?), which we thought might be traced to the lack of clear targets by which the hydraulic engineers department could be held accountable. Its not clear to everybody exactly what they are supposed to be doing and are they doing it or not.

Given these inherent constraints in the departmental system, can improvements be implemented within the system? Or are there other systems of management which might be more effective?

Marathi :
Given these inherent constraints in the departmental system, can improvements be implemented within the system? Or are there other systems of management which might be more effective?

One is more delegated authority to the managers, setting targets for the department.

Marathi :
One is more delegated authority to the managers, setting targets for the department.

So we thought that was worth considering. ..Coming down to the specific technical solutions in K-east ward, we asked which things can be done within the departmental system as it is, and which things would the departmental system struggle with.

Marathi :
So we thought that was worth considering. ..Coming down to the specific technical solutions in K-east ward, we asked which things can be done within the departmental system as it is, and which things would the departmental system struggle with.

Some things the department definitely can do - eg. procuring and installing bulk meters to measure flow into the ward

Marathi :
Some things the department definitely can do - eg. procuring and installing bulk meters to measure flow into the ward

Other things may be more difficult. Like installing customer meters - a plan was developed 10 years ago, but somehow the department has not managed to implement that plan to keep all the customer meters working.

Marathi :
Other things may be more difficult. Like installing customer meters - a plan was developed 10 years ago, but somehow the department has not managed to implement that plan to keep all the customer meters working.

A couple of other crucial areas - like creating a pressure management system, creating demand management areas - these are not things that departmental engineers have experience in.

Marathi :
A couple of other crucial areas - like creating a pressure management system, creating demand management areas - these are not things that departmental engineers have experience in.

I'm just saying that main management functions like funding the investment, managing the ward, building collecting,and regular operation initiatives.

Marathi :
I'm just saying that main management functions like funding the investment, managing the ward, building collecting,and regular operation initiatives.

Here are the elements of the integrated water loss program. Replacing mains, connections, pressure resolving, active leak detection and metering.

Marathi :
Here are the elements of the integrated water loss program. Replacing mains, connections, pressure resolving, active leak detection and metering.

Continuing to manage everything in the ward and engaging different firms on these activities. Then you could measure that firm's performance and hold them more accountable.

Marathi :
Continuing to manage everything in the ward and engaging different firms on these activities. Then you could measure that firm's performance and hold them more accountable.
(marathi)

After that...
(marathi)
I guess we saw a number of disadvantages to that approach. Number one: I don't think there are a lot of management skills. This problem in K-east ward.

Marathi :
I guess we saw a number of disadvantages to that approach. Number one: I don't think there are a lot of management skills. This problem in K-east ward.
(marathi)

Most office management contractor are accountable for results if most of the (???)

Marathi :
Most office management contractor are accountable for results if most of the (???)
(marathi)

In that option, all staff would work for a private firm. The private firm was responsible for delivering water and for carrying normal operation and maintenance costs and will try to make a profit from the difference between its skill(?) and its costs.

Marathi :
In that option, all staff would work for a private firm. The private firm was responsible for delivering water and for carrying normal operation and maintenance costs and will try to make a profit from the difference between its skill(?) and its costs.
Marathi :
That system has reached the advantage of making the contract 100 percent accountable. But a disadvantage of trying to carve out just one part of an integrated system and give the whole management of that to someone else.
(marathi)

That system has reached the advantage of making the contract 100 percent accountable. But a disadvantage of trying to carve out just one part of an integrated system and give the whole management of that to someone else.

(Marathi)
..reproduction
Marathi :
That system has reached the advantage of making the contract 100 percent accountable. But a disadvantage of trying to carve out just one part of an integrated system and give the whole management of that to someone else.

Due to those inherent constraints in the departmental system like lack of professional ?? , lack of expenditure ??

Marathi :
Due to those inherent constraints in the departmental system like lack of professional ?? , lack of expenditure ??
(marathi)

And coming down to the water level project, a range of options which we just led through ...
And that concludes the summary. Thank you.

Marathi :
And coming down to the water level project, a range of options which we just led through ...
And that concludes the summary. Thank you.
M.M. Kamble from the hydraulic engineering department and Manu Srivastav, additional commissionaire of BMC give a presentation on the water supply - it's history, the key statistics and it's deficiencies in a manner synonymous to corporates.
The presentation is a dead give away to the real motives of the BMC as it is extremely clear that the BMC is conducting this meeting as a mere formality and that the decision has already been taken.
BMC
K-East ward
Manu Srivastav
Prepaid meter
Water Privatisation

And we, the whole department, have completely organised this programme "Sujal Mumbai" so that people get good, clean water, enough water and water that is affordable. We are going ahead with this programme 24/7 basis and we will be giving a presentation of this program.

After this the water engineer Shri M.M. Kamble will show us the plans that we have suggested....

And we are taking steps to operationalise this important program in our hands.

Whatever we have told you about the distribution is more or less ....(unclear)

....whatever is the capacity and to get it we bring 3350 mld of water into Mumbai for this we have big and important water treatment plants, one is at Bhandup complex and other is....

....for doing this the municipal corporation has pumping stations built in Vise Pranjhrapol and Bhandup complex....

.....for tap water we have put distributary mains and feeder mains of the length is around 3000 km and the municipal corporation has a network of 4800 km which is used by the municipal corporation to distribute water.
while doing this for additional water sources we have identified water sources at Middle Vaitarna, Pinjar, and Gargai. And similarly Kalu scheme has been identified.

The BMC is the 1st organisation in our country which has established supply of water through pipes. In 1860 we built Vihar with provision of 110 mld of water supply to this city. As the supply couldn't keep up with the demand we built Tulsi Lake in 1879. We get 18 mld of water from it. After that since the water supply was falling short in comparison to the demand we identified Tansa Lake and built in between 1892 and 1925, it got completed in 1925. We get 485 mld of water from it.
After that lower Vaitarna got built. It was built in year 1957 and upper Vaitarna in year 1973. Through both these dams we get eleven hundred and forty two mld of water. After this we identified the Bhatsa scheme in Mumbai in 1981 (not clear) and increased the water supply by 455 mld. After that from Mumbai 2 which got completed in 1989 and through that we increased the water supply by 455 mld. And Mumbai 3 which got completed in 1996 and through that increased the water supply by 455 mld. Then recently we started with the scheme Mumbai 3A which got completed in 2007 and through that we get 350 mld of water. So, if we see, we get 3470 mld of water out of which we have to give 120 mld to Thane city. So in total we, ie Mumbai, receive 3350 mld of water and make do with that much water.

While doing that, in our water supply system...

flash

This picture shows that the consumer cannot reach the complaint box or suggestion box since a big gap has developed.
Friends I would like to.....
The picture is the clip is of Hemant Morparia.
The BMC not only shamelessly accepts the fact there is a huge gap developed between the citizens and the municipal corporation but also go on to suggest that the only option is to privatise the water department for the 'benefit' of the citizens.

See more of Morparia :-
http://zone.artizans.com/browse.htm?artist=33

Limited water resources is a leaky network and since this is a leaky and limited source therefore we have to keep a intermediate water supply or provide staggered water....

The consumers use excessive amounts of water. We shall see the reasons behind this and also how this happens.

There is always this doubt in mind and that is why they store a lot of water. And then this water, when next day the water supply starts, the water which was stored the previous day is...

...the distribution network that is there. If you see the upper part the diagram the water that goes through pipelines to societies, which have, storage facilities, ie they have a suction tank pumping arrangement and an overhead tank arrangement and leakage reduction ...

...and we have to implement the leakage reduction scheme. Similarly upgradation of slum network and in that prepaid water supply schemes and this we are including...

and in slums we give huge subsidies,i.e., we charge Rs 2.25 per kilolitre. So if this subsidy is ok till they use 250 litres per capita per day for their daily use as it is essential. But if the people start using this water for their gardening purposes and to wash cars or other reason then...

If we start this.....there is a need to do the things mentioned in the earlier slide which is necessary and cannot be substituted

You can straight away go to the major slides..

Ok,.. Next

You can skip all this because this is all....

In this chart we are trying to show the myths about 24/7 water supply and reality of 24/7 water supply

In this we can see continuous water supply.....

...to solve the problems, there is no option but to have 24/7 water in Mumbai. So the need of 24/7 water should be recognised and if we want to achieve this objective we need to these four things.
1) Mumbais' population is continuously increasing so on one hand we will try to improve the network....

We are thinking on the lines of Source Augmentation and Chitale committee, 1993, Government of Maharashtra. Under the chairmanship Dr M.A Chitale ex-secretary of irrigation department, a committee was established. And this committee was told to identify sources to supply water to Mumbai and submit a report. And in their findings they have identified Middle Vaitarna as a source and also Pinjar, Gargai, and Kalu. Middle Vaitarna, Pinjar, and Gargai are originate from Vaitarna basin whereas the source of Kalu is Ulhas basin. And from this to get water we have undertaken to implemented a scheme by which from Middle Vaitarna 455 mld of water and similarly Gargai and Pinjal, as mentioned by sir, have been identified together as sources and a program to commission it has commenced. From Gargai 455 mld and from Pinjar 865 mld water will be available and will get 590 mld of water from Kalu from Ulhas Basin. These identified projects have been approved and given clearance by government of Maharashtra. By which the project of Middle Vaitarna has been taken up and a feasibility study of Pinjal and Gargai has been entrusted to Mcdonald company and the process for submitting a report is underway.

I would like to make a point that to find a new source if we go to see it will cost 4 crores rupees to transport 1 mld of water......to transport and find 1 mld of water and in Mumbai the non-revenue water, as we just saw it is around 20-25%, even if we took a rough estimate around 60-70% of our water

If you see the current and projected demand and supply scenario in Mumbai, in the year 2001, the population was 121.94 lakhs and we were supplying 2980 mld of water when the demand was 4450 mld. We can see that in 2011, the population that we have forecast is 152.99 lakhs. Against this, the demand then will be 5010 mld and with our current source augmentation initiatives we will be able to provide approximately 3800 mld water supply. In the year 2021, the population of this city will be 163.8 lakhs. The demand at that time will be 5300 mld and we will be able to provide upto 5120 mld of water supply. This is our current plan. This graph shows the need for consistent investments. If we do not invest consistently, then our demand will go on increasing but our supply will remain stable. This will create a huge gap and we will never be able to dream of 24 hours water supply. So constant investment is a necessity.

This will be useful in our goal to provide 24x7 water.

Kamble, the most important point that people must understand is that, as Castalia said and as

My colleague has shown in the presentation, the comprehensive distribution improvement programme that is being proposed. The most important point is that te department feels that such a programme can be implemented through the department too.

The water supply department and hydraulic engine department are confident that it can implement this kind of programme under the guidance of a consultant who will guide them as to how to actually implement this. The entire programme will be implemented under the guidance of an international expert who has expertise in this. This is the most important point.

The consultant will be appointed through a tendering process and they will work under the guidance of this consultant.

A consultant will be appointed. This is a system. In order to design this system a consultant is required and that consultant we appoint. Take this auditorium, for this we had a consultant.

Except that this whole thing will be done under the guidance of the workers' department, under the control of the department and under the ownership of the department.

This pressure management, as sir said, the entire work will be done under the authority and supervision of BMC and under the control of BMC. We will see how to go about pressure management. For this we will identify the pressure problem areas and see where the bottlenecks are in these areas. Then (????).

In some areas there is more pressure and in some there is a problem of leakages too. Similarly, where pressure zoning is needed, we will have to install control valves to regulate the pressure.

And we will also have to reduce leakages. All this will be taken up in the presentation on pressure management.

Here Castalia Company had presented different options and these options are shown.In that business and others have been included.

We have taken up the ambitious work of specialized metering contractor. Now we are aware that of the 3.15 lakh consumers, 50 % of the meters are working and the rest of the meters are not working. Because of this, what we charge for metering, some people complain that.

There will be no chance. We have taken steps to put in place such a mechanism. This is in progress.

This is the second important step. As I had explained earlier, our 24 hours distribution system has two sides. First on the supply side, we need to repair our network. For this, under the comprehensive water distribution improvement programme, a well known consultant will be appointed for guidance on behalf of the department. That has also been passed.

In the 24 ward offices, because of the distribution and maintenance departmental work that we do currently and manpower shortages, there are delays in attending to complaints regarding leakages. For this, 6 zonal committees have been identified to do this work, we will say, support system to the existing system and for this we have appointed a contractor, which has been approved by the standing committee.

To carry out this work, a deputy engineer can approve work upto Rs 10 lakh. A hydraulic engineer can approve work upto Rs 20 lakhs and with DNC approval we can carry out work upto Rs 50 lakhs. As a result, the delays in attending to leakages and complaints can be avoided and this work will be done immediately.
For stopping leakages in the network and thereby developing pressure, all the agencies and this programme will work very effectively. A large part of this procedure is a very important part of the efforts for 24 hours water supply by the department.

The BMC presentation had been going on for almost half an hour. The people were assured that a discussion would take place after the presentations but the presentation seemed to have no end in sight.
Frustrated by the sheer indifference shown by the BMC to the crowd, which mainly consisted of residents of K-East ward as well as representatives from various NGO's and CBO's, some youths started shouting and crying out slogans. What started as a few youths wanting their voice to be heard escalated into a minor riot.
All the dignitaries including Mayor of Mumbai Shubha Raul had to come on stage to calm the frustrated audience.
Many of the members of CBO's and NGO's came on stage too to have their voice heard by the dignitaries present while the crowd was still crying out slogans. At one point of time utter chaos reigned as there were people talking to the dignitaries, while some had got hold of the microphone and had started stating their views, while the crowd was still shouting slogans.
The presentation began only because the CBO and NGO members asked their colleagues to let the presentation continue as there was only one last segment that was remaining on prepaid meters.
K-East ward
Prepaid meter
Protest
Water Privatisation

Slogans:
Paani aamcha hakkacha
(Water is our right)
nahi konacha bapacha
(it doesn't belong to your father)

Paanicha Khajgikar band kara
(Stop the privatisation of water)

Sthayee committee, Shame!! Shame !!
(Standing committee. Shame!! Shame !! )

BMC speaker: All of you will be given a chance to speak. You must listen to what we are saying. We are willing to listen to everybody. I request everyone and all you friends to give 5 minutes and allow him to complete the presentation. This prepaid system is the last presentation so let him complete it. Whatever points you have will be presented. Whatever you have to present, we are here for that.

With this government presentation, we will see that in this department, those who work in the ---- office, the cadre, they are specialized people. There is a need to develop this cadre. By doing this, whatever customer services and the problems of the customers, we will effectively be able to attend to them. It will be possible to solve them.
BMC
K-East ward
Prepaid meter
Water Privatisation
The BMC started the leg of their presentation which included the new pipeline projects of the BMC and, probably the most hotly debated segment of presentation, prepaid meters. The BMC in an attempt to provide '24*7 water supply' wanted to install prepaid meters, ie, people would have to pay before they get to use water. Moreover this system was to be monitored by private contractors. So in a sense people would end up paying a private contractor instead of the BMC.
This scheme, more than any of the other BMC schemes, showed the BMCs' will to privatise water.
BMC
K-East ward
Prepaid meter
Water Privatisation

For this, in the existing primary network, what improvements we are going to do under this massive work that we have undertaken, you can see. Here, the Tansa Water main has become old,-------. To avoid this, we have undertake the programme for the replacement of the Gundwal to Tansa old pipeline. Along with this, The Tansa and Vaitarna mains for supply to Mumbai city, a 15 km long tunnel of 5500 dia is proposed to be constructed. A departmental project report has been prepared and it is to be submitted to the government of India

In this secondary network what we are planning to do as is shown, replacement of Tansa and Vaitarna mains from Maroshi to Ruparel. As we have seen that the water lines in this city have become old, they are leaky and repairing it has been a difficult task due to all the slums that have come up and there is no space to repair it. That is why we are going to dig a tunnel 3000mm thick and 12 Km long from Maroshi to Ruparel. In the same way we have undertaken to build a tunnel from Malabar Hill to Cross Maidan of the length of 3.8 km. The existing outlets of Verawali reservoirs have to be replaced and that is why we have undertaken the construction of a tunnel from Verawali Hill to Yari Road 2200mm thick and 6.1 km long. Andheri (west) is a fast developing area so we have to replace the existing outlets and thus we have undertaken the construction of the existing outlets.

As we said earlier in this tertiary network, we need to make improvements, there is a need to replaces pipelines. As you can see the 2 year in which we plan to Rs 356 crores spend on the replacement of the network this in the year 2006-2007 we are planning to replace 221km of pipelines and rehabilitate 196km of pipeline which totals to 417 km of work on pipelines and on this we are planning to spend Rs 150 crores in 2006-2007 and for that in 2007-2008 we plan to replace 103 km of pipeline and rehabilitate 94 km of pipes, a total of 197 km of pipes for which we are going to spend Rs 206 km. So over two years for the replacement and rehabilitation of 614 km of pipeline we are planning to spend Rs 356 crores.

I made clear earlier today that meters are

Everybody knows that in this whole process as public and as citizen I have been, involved in before WTI came,(?) the water privatisation project in ward 23. I have been involved.
In all I want to clarify two-three key points here today.
One, during the 2nd consultations we were given assurances that whatever decision were to be taken, would be taken in the third consultation, only after taking into consideration the opinions of the people about the report and after holding discussions with them and then the recommendations we have made to our peoples representatives would also be taken into consideration and only thereafter a decision would be taken.
Earlier you have yourself told us that we have been betrayed since that the decision has already been taken. Already you have taken the decision earlier regarding this matter and that is the reason behind this rage, and this anger as to how could the decision be taken earlier then....just a minute, just as when many of our people were creating disturbance here I said that it is not correct to interrupt, same way let me finish with my talk. I expect you should also give me an opportunity to speak completely that the decision was taken before and now after that this is just a farce. I would like to tell the World Bank personnel that the World Bank has not done this farce only here today but they have done it everywhere in the world. We have friends in Bangalore and we have friends in Delhi, India is our country so we know where World Bank has done what. And therefore even then since we got a chance to discuss I would like to make only a 2-3 points.
Number 1.....
A senior activist raises questions regarding the presentation and the BMCs' modus-operandi which in turn end up showcasing glaring irregularities in the BMC's plans and truly expose the true motives of the BMC.
BMC
K-East ward
Prepaid meter
Protest
Water Privatisation

....that
Mr Waikar has also arrived on the stage and we expect that now the peoples voices will become stronger.
Now I would like to raise a couple of issues, the first of them is that there was a question raised in the survey and whether we have been called here as citizens or customers. And a decision should be taken whether we are the customers of the municipal corporation or are we the citizens or voters or owners of the municipal corporation. It is vital that there be a clarification on this matter. Because the constant use of the words 'customer' and 'water charges' have made us into believing this otherwise...

The second issue is that if you called us here and the issues of water supply were to be discussed. So in a sense you have placed the issue in front of the people and among the different solutions suggested by Castalia and you have accepted the solution that suggests to build the departments' capacity. But does building the departments capacity mean to distribute all the departments' work to contractors. Because if so the municipal corporation should give out their work to the huge multinational corporations which run huge nations and they should give out all the work and only manage it.
The fact is that when you say that you are only building the departments' capacity, the decisions that are taken, the decision about the zonal contractor and details about that decision has not yet reached us, for example which contract. Because the amount that is quoted in the papers is what - Rs 20 crore per zone per year, ie Rs 120 crores for 6 zones and the contract has been give for 3 years which amounts to Rs 360 crores is already allocated in the annual budget. We have not said that this figures we have got from the media but we are saying this from our knowledge.
The 2nd issue is that the zonal contractor who is involved in this restructuring will take place under the guidance of a consultant. My question is who will choose this consultant, because Castalia is a consultant appointed by the World Bank. I am saying this so it can be brought to the attention of the public that while choosing Castalia, the standing committee of the municipal corporation sent an application to get the UPIS grant. But there was no mention of who this consultant would be, who will choose the consultant, what would be the terms and conditions, the terms of work and their conditions all this was decided by the World Bank and Castalia. The Municipal corporation did not play any role in this matter. So if the municipal corporation get the grant and the world bank decides how it should use the grant and if it is clearly written in the contract that this contractor will work for the benefit of the world bank then in such a scenario why should we study for the benefit of the World Bank with the municipal corporations' money. This is an issue that we thought of.
The other issue is that if this proposition was for K-east ward then suddenly why did you take the decisions for all of Mumbai rather you are thinking about it. Until now it was a proposition for the improvement in K-east ward, it was a proposition as to how to improve the facilities of only K-east ward. When we asked about the implications of such a proposition over the rest of Mumbai we were told very clearly not to worry that this was a proposition for K east ward only for the improvement of the water supply of K east ward and not for the rest of Mumbai. But all the propositions that you made today were for all of Mumbai and the name itself is 'Sujal Mumbai'

My other question is this that when we say that the labour is limited and insufficient, we always say this and we have said it even in front of the peoples representatives. Everybody agrees that there is no recruitment for last ten years and even the labour unions are shouting about it. We are not a poor municipal corporation that we have to take decision with labours consent to have a contract. Finally we have to give money either to the contractors or to the increased labour. It would be better if you explain to us what is the glitch.
The other thing is that this whole leak detection squad. The BMC, as I have always maintained that is considered to be a pioneer in Asia and the BMC is considered to be the biggest in Asia and it has a water supply system which is so organised to the extent that many big countries from Asia regard them as experts. So in such an expert municipal corporation should we improve ourselves and set an example in front of the people or to get contractual people to improve this. And on this issue I would like to.....

I want to make clear two more points to the administration. I am a person living in the slums. I live in Jogeshwari, in Shiv Takedi and there is no water supply in my area that every one knows because it is Takedi(Hill). Even though there is no water supply in the Tekadi region there are two things that the municipal corporation....when asked about who needs 24/7 water supply, the answer is the poor people. The reason that they give is that they don't have storage capacity or space. I am saying come to my home there is a drum, few vessels and a tank filled for drinking water, and the water from the drum is used for the whole day. By all means we have organised storage capacity and this is the reality and our representatives are fully aware of it. We are not in agreement that because we do not have storage capacity, there is a need for 24 hour water supply.

The other thing is that when you say about inequitable distribution. Yes I agree that there is inequitable distribution. But you have found such a solution which seems to be as it is said 'medicine is worse than disease'. The disease is that people don't get water and the solution is you will fix prepaid meters. And make people pay for it and then you will give. You know how clever the licensed plumbers are. I have always maintained and recommended that you call them too in the stakeholders meeting and involve them. Everyone here knows the things that they do. If in future how can you guarantee that they will give connection line before the the prepaid meter for a price. Then what are we supposed to do with the prepaid meter? This was the 2nd question.

The 3rd point is the issues that I have presented before you with regards to the prepaid meter have not only been experienced in Asia but are largely responsible for what is happening in Africa, In South Africa many have died in the cholera epidemic. Even in the most developed nations whose principles we would like to emulate, even in those countries prepaid meters have barred in the '90's. In such a scenario, when we know that the road ahead is full of pitfalls, why are we going in that direction. We are in a quandary over this matter and we would like you to clarify.
I have two final comments..

Most of it is regarding the fact that if we say that people settled after 1995 will get water via prepaid meters, then will all the big buildings that have come up after 1995 also get water via prepaid meters?
The other thing is that this the issue of the people settled after 1995. Earlier to this we know there have been a lot of protests, handa protests, balti protest, etc for water in Mumbai. However nowadays water the value of water is no longer what it used to be. We all agree that water has been supplied to the settlers after 1995 on regular basis. We have done in some way or the other. So in my opinion what is the problem to regularise the water supply. I say give it to them on a regular basis.

My final comment is with respect to prepaid meters is that if the aim is to strengthen the department then we have not discussed anything regarding Human Resources plan. Mostly we have discussed about the technical aspect and other aspects. I think that it is also necessary to take into account the point of view of the people. The recommendations of the Chitale Committee and even the study that is conducted by us, World Bank has not done us a great favour by doing PPIF and by giving Rs 3 crore. Earlier we have ourselves given money to TCL to conduct a study as to what is to be done regarding the water situation. They have given their recommendations and we have spent crores of rupees on that. We also have experts who have worked 30 years in the department and who have worked as labour in the departments. Today they are aware, even if it is not on the map, they know which pipe or key should be where and how it should opened and when it should open. If all this work if we give it to a private contractor, then our fear is, if in future he says that you and I don't get along then it will be difficult to search for our people and reestablishing the old system will be a problem.
Water is the right of every person. It is in our culture whenever a guest arrives he/she is given water. This is our culture. If we start this business of water than is it that we are we marketing & commercialising this culture? This is a big question putting forth to the BMC's peoples representatives and the BMC's officers. And they should consider all this and take a decision. I have expressed my views on this subject. However there are many others who would like to give their opinion and you should give them an opportunity to do so. Thank you.

Just one second..one second
I am going to try and answer to the questions that you have put forth.
The first issue that was raised was that of zonal contractors that we have appointed and that the reasons behind their appointment was not clear. First of all what I would like to say is that the zonal contract is a rate contract. All the activities that take place in the hydraulic engineering department, (all the items per zone)*. These contractors can not do any job on their own free will, ie, they do not have any control over their network. They are only hydrolic engineers and they will work only according to instructions. They are like any other contractor that works for BMC. BMC does every work through contractors be it road building, building bridges, constructing buildings, BMC does every work by appointing contractors. In a similar fashion in the network maintainance of pipelines if there is (?) in the network or replacement of pipes is going to done under the supervision and as per the instructions of the BMC by the contractors just like other contractors. They have no right to do anything on their own on the network. So therefore there shouldn't be any sort of doubt regarding this matter.
Please excuse me. Only Mr Rajan Singh (?) I am disturbing a little. Opposition parties are requested to come on the stage. Earlier representative has analysed and boldly put forth his views. And the queries are being answered. The discussion is going amicably.
BMC
K-East ward
Manu Srivastav
Manu Srivastav answers and respond to the queries and comments made by the senior activist.
Some of his answers and the reasons behind the answers were appalling to the the extent that the crowd just could not take any more of the bullshit and started protesting.
Prepaid meter
Protest
Water Privatisation

So the questions raised about the functioning of zonal contractors and how they are going to work. So they are going to work according to the instructions. Mainly locating leakages and (?) this is a full time job. And while doing this we don't just want to improve. Mumbai is growing, many areas are developing, in every region the network needs to upgraded taking into consideration the new developments and there is a need to improve. Also looking at future needs the network need to be designed and under these conditions. The task of improving the network is going to be done by a (?)
As I earlier said, while constructing a building or bridge, while planning it we employ an architect. He designs the system. In the same for the designing of the system and the improvement of the system we do it on the recommendation of a consultant. For any big project we enlist the support of the consultant. The consultants work under the supervision of the engineers (?). In this case these consultants (?) the question that was put forth was who is going to select the consultants. The consultants will be in totality chosen by the municipal corporation and there is no

I show you their report. Please Listen to this. Madam today I will present before you Novembers' report. Does anybody have Novembers' report? The November report is hereby presented to the people.
I am James John from Agni and this is the way they function, nobody has the report and now it is hereby presented to the people.
I am presenting the report for June 2007 that Castalia had presented the MCGM. In that page 8 it says leakage per connection, ie on every connection they say that 3052 litres of water is leaked. In K-East ward there is 26,400 connections. Today they showed 540 mld of water supply but did anyone ask whether 540 mld of water is supplied to K-East ward? Did you ask that 540 mld of water is supplied to K-East ward? Did you ask Mr Commissionaire.(unclear)
When you calculate there is 26,400 connection and 3052 leakage per connection. I am taking only 3000 litres and the total is 79.2 million litres of water is lost as result of leakage, so says their report. In K-East ward 175 mld of water is supplied. If from 175 mld of water 79.2 mld is lost in leakage. What we get is 95.8 mld of water. When 95.8 mld is able to supply water to every house in K-East ward, do we need this false foreign report? There are absolute lies in the report itself. It shows that 54.74% of water is supplied to your ward and around 45% is lost due to leakage. This an completely false report and Castalia can refer to this. This is on page 8 that 3052 litres is lost in connection.
Next...

In K-East ward in 2006-2007, Rs 69 crores were received in through bills. In that around Rs 62 crores has come. When so much money has come(?). Even if we charge Rs 10 per thousand litres then there should be around Rs 63 crores. So even after charging Rs 10 per 1000 liters the BMC is getting Rs 63 crores then where is the leakage over which our whole discussion is based. This is absolute false and farce. This is their report. Our honourable people that we have selected in the government have accepted this false report.
Second thing

In this report at three places you have mentioned that 60% meters are non functional, at three places exactly. I'll show you the report of November 8.
Crowd : Use the table, it's ours....
This the official BMC November 8 report. In domestic, 58.2% of the meters are functional and working only 41.72% are defective. This report is of November 8. Today is the 13th its only been 5 days. How false their report, I'll show you. Second, in commercial 59.12% of meters are functional, 40.87% of meters are non-functional. Third, in industrial 64.28% of meters are functional, only 35.71% of meters are non-functional. The entire argument that took place today was over leakages and meters, does anybody know. And their report says 60% of meters are non-functional. At three places it has been mentioned that 60% meters are bad. Now what is the truth? The BMC report or the one that Castalia provided. Castalia again, your report is completely wrong.
Third thing, I'll show you...one second. Again 24*7 water supply, page number 13, June report. On page 13 under the section Continuous Improvement section. It says, I'll say it in English, "During this phase customer consumption would need to be closely monitored. If some customers take advantage of the improved supply to increase their consumption to excessive levels, the goal of distribution equity would be threatened. Some customers taking too much water would have the effect of leaving other customers with too little, and possible forcing a reversion to rationing through intermittent supply.". So what they are saying is that the 24*7 water supply will be stopped for the people who cannot be controlled and that they will have to revert back to the rationing system. So there is no accounting for the money they have paid. Moreover they don't even have a system to move forward. I just have a couple of requests.
This report is absolutely false. Reason : Was there any NGO or any people or any stakeholder who was with you while detecting the leakage...I live in K-East ward, in J.B.Nagar. Show me the leakages in K-East ward, I'll go along with you if you are willing to show me the leakages. You come with me I'll show you whether there are leakages. This is absolutely false. Meters, meters can be repaired by us. Enforce it in the department. You are the authorities, you are the IAS officers. I am also a former defence person, I have returned from the army. We know how to enforce things. Enforce it. Tell the HE (hydraulic engineers) that the meters should be functional. Why it cannot be functional? Why do we need an external...
We send rockets in space, build nuclear submarine, and are advancing in all fields, we cannot manage the water distribution? Castalia and everyone knows that we have one of the best engineers. We have such good engineers in the HE department, only give them an opportunity to their work. Separate it like BEST, they will be able to work.
One more thing. This was also said in the 1st meeting. Water is the need of every person. If you don't provide it to the people, they will definitely steal it, by any means possible. Water is the need of every living being, why are you linking it to property. If they are not giving property tax why do you stop the water? I have only this much to say.

After Mr Johns speech the crowd had decided to get their voices heard. The slogan shouting started with more zest than before. So much so that the Mr Ravindra Waikar, President of the standing committee, had to respond to the crowd.
Mr Ravindra Waikar is the corporator of ward 68. He has been a corporator for the past 15 years, in three different wards namely 100, 99, and 68. He has always been a Shiv Sainik ( Shiv Sena Party member).
The slogan shouting almost escalated into a small riot. A chunk of this footage has been blanked-out.

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