Crisis of sorts

Residents of newly constructed MHADA colonies would have to contend with water shortage given the Bombay Municipal corporation’s inability to supply water to these projects till the end of this year or in some cases till next year.
MHADA Officials have clarified that the situation is only because of the unprecedented water crisis that Mumbai is currently facing. "Due to the unprecedented water crisis in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has expressed its inability to allot water connections to some of the new colonies constructed by Mhada. However, we are trying to explore other ways and means through which we can provide some sort of water supply to these houses," informed MHADA lottery chief officer Satish Bhide. He added that it was not possible for Mhada to arrange for water supply to all the tenements, most which will be handed over to the lottery winners by August this year.
According to officials, many colonies will get proper water supply only by end of this year, colonies in Turbhe-Mandale, Mankhurd, will be the worst affected. These housing colonies will get water connections only by December 2011. Official correspondence from the BMC has mentioned that these houses will get connection only next year, said Bhide, adding that most of the houses to be sold in the soon-to-be-held lottery are in an advanced stage of construction.
Meanwhile, the housing lottery for 3,449 houses at various locations in the city will take place on May 18 and Mhada has received as many as 3,17,706 valid applications for the lottery. The lottery this time has more houses for the economically weaker section (about 80%) as compared to the high and middle income group (HIG and MIG) houses.