Khar Danda's Never-Ending Water Woes
Hindustan Times Thane|December 31, 2024
The fishing village depends on one source for its water supply, while its population has also shot up in the last five years. Is there a solution?
Sabah Virani

MUMBAI: On December 13, residents of Khar Danda had had enough. Not a drop of water had passed through their taps for five days, and anger was brewing. The fishing village receives water only from 6 pm to 10 pm every day. But residents' taps had been dry even during these four hours for the past five days.

"By 6:30 pm, when it looked like water wasn't going to come that day too, people were furious," said Manoj Koli, secretary of the Khar Danda Koliwada Gaonthan, a local fisher union. "Over 500 people came out of their homes and blocked the Khar Danda junction."

The police arrived within 10 minutes, but the crowd wouldn't listen. Vehicles started piling up at the vital junction between the Khar railway station, Carter Road and Pali Hill, and chaos ensued. They had the authorities' attention.

"BMC officials and MLA Ashish Shelar arrived, and only after many reassurances that water would be arranged by the next morning did people disperse by 9 pm," said Koli.

Khar Danda has faced persistent water supply issues for at least two years. "Water comes only in increments of seven to 15 minutes, the first batch having a strong dirty stench. The supply is just not enough," said Kunda Kale, a fisherwoman. Another resident, Ratan Bhagat, said, "The only way I manage is because my sons and their families do not live with me right now, but they're going to move back soon. I don't know how we will survive."

Those who can afford water tankers are few and far between, only ordering them in moments of extreme desperation. During that fateful week in December, many had no choice but to resort to bottled water for immediate needs.

"For a few days after the protest, water supply was better. But now it has gone back to the usual paltry and blinkered supply," said Kale.

This story is from the December 31, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Thane.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 31, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Thane.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES THANEView All
Hindustan Times Thane

Cummins Hints He May Skip Tour of Sri Lanka

Australia captain Pat Cummins hinted that he may skip the tour of Sri Lanka later this month to be present for the birth of his second child.

time-read
1 min  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

The transition is upon India: What will it lead to?

It's been coming for a while but now, it truly feels like the transition is upon us.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Focus on speed, new mantra for Arjuna-winning wrestler Aman

Having lost to Japan's wrestlers at Asiad and Olympics, Paris medalist says his training stint in Japan was an eye opener

time-read
3 mins  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Jesus Strikes Again in Arsenal Victory

Gabriel Jesus is determined to keep scoring as Arsenal look to end their more than 20-year wait for a Premier League title.

time-read
1 min  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

CCI Probe Confirms Apple Violated Competition Law

The Competition Commission of India's investigation has confirmed anti-competitive practices by Apple Inc. following a probe into the iPhone and iPad maker's app store processes, two people familiar with the development said.

time-read
1 min  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Anti-dumping duty on solar glass may delay projects

THE DOMESTIC SOLAR GLASS MANUFACTURING CAPACITY STANDS AT 10-12GW

time-read
1 min  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Will viewers, advertisers be game for pickleball?

OVER THE YEARS, ATHLETES HAVE COME FROM THE GRASSROOTS, BUT THE URBAN RICH PLAY TO STAY FIT AND SOCIALIZE

time-read
3 mins  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

BharatPe Hires Rothschild To Sell Up To 25% In Unity SFB

New-age non-bank lender BharatPe is looking to sell anywhere between 10% and 25% stake in Unity Small Finance Bank, depending on buyer interest, two people with knowledge of the development said.

time-read
1 min  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

Centre sets up panel to reset WPI series' base year

The government on Thursday set up a committee of experts to reset the base year of the current series of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in an effort to make the measure of factory-gate inflation more accurate.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 03, 2025
Hindustan Times Thane

D-Street Show Kindles Hopes for New Year

Nifty, Sensex close 1.9% and 1.8% higher on the back of gains in auto, IT stocks

time-read
2 mins  |
January 03, 2025