India, April 13 -- On day three of the tanker operators' indefinite agitation, residents in some parts of Mumbai stopped washing their clothes, saving whatever little water they have for more essential purposes. If the strike continues, they fear, they will altogether run out of drinking water as municipal supply is woefully inadequate in some housing societies, and corner stores are almost out of bottled water.

Tanker operators, under the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA), launched an indefinite agitation Thursday, when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice to private well owners, where the tankers fill up. The notice directed well owners to follow Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines, which tanke...