No water cut on Holi: BMC

However, the civic administration has also appealed to citizens to use as less water as possible for the celebrations.

MiD DAY's report yesterday

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Sandeep Deshpande had demanded the imposition of 25 percent water cut on the day of the festival, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) city unit general secretary Sanjay Upadhyay had asked for 50 per cent cuts. MiD DAY had reported about the administration being up in arms about water wastage during the festival in its report (‘Corporators demand water cut on Holi!', yesterday).

Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte after talking with water department officials said the BMC prefers not to have cuts on the day of the festival. Mayor Sunil Prabhu reiterated that cuts are not needed but said people should play Holi with less water. "There is no need to cut water. People realise that many districts in the state are facing acute water shortage so I hope they will not waste water on festival," said Prabhu.

The BJP city unit has been asking water tankers to not accept offers to provide water for rain dances across the city on Holi. Sanjay Upadhyay said, "It would be good if people realise the value of water. We have decided to not allow water tankers from providing water for Holi celebrations."

Shiv Sena corporator Kishori Pednekar said, "I have organised Holi celebrations for women only with colour and without water in Lower Parel." A group of Shivsainiks from Kalachowkie area have arranged for a Marathi play from 11 am to 2 pm at Damodar Hall, Parel. "We deliberately chose this time so that people don't play Holi and save water," said Kaka Kadam, a Shiv Sena worker from Kalachowkie.