India, Dec. 19 -- The recent water crisis in Thane masks a deeper malaise, one that residents allege is leaving their taps dry. Why else is there a water shortage even after repairs were completed to the damaged water main that triggered the crisis, they ask.

The damage to the main, due to tunnelling by Mahanagar Gas Limited at Kalyan Phata, saw residents across the city scrambling for a fortnight. From posh housing societies along Ghodbunder Road to the slums of Kalwa-Mumbra, residents continue to buy water from private tanker suppliers - or go without water altogether.

The damaged pipeline supplies water from the Pise reservoir to the Temghar water treatment plant. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) first imposed a 30% water cut, w...