India, June 9 -- Talks with the state government made no headway on day one of the indefinite agitation launched by tanker operators in Mumbai on Monday. The impasse comes at a time when the city has just 13.20 % of water reserves left. Citizens are also facing a 10% cut in supply, and the prospect of a delayed and reduced monsoon.

On Monday, a delegation of the Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MTWA) met the Mumbai suburban district collector at his office in Bandra, which had served notices instructing tanker operators to observe the rules laid down by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

While government officials said they had merely issued notices and not acted against tanker operators, the MWTA insisted on an assurance that ...