``Since the government is providing a huge quantity of water to the park, which was recently inaugurated by Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, the township is facing acute shortage of drinking water,'' Pichad said.

Raising a spate of supplementary questions on a calling attention notice given by RR Patil and Manikrao Thakre, Pichad asked if the government will immediately stop water supply to Suraj Water Park. Rejecting the opposition's charge, Chief Minister Narayan Rane said adequate water is being supplied to the municipal council and it will be wrong to say the park is supplied water at the cost of the council.

For ensuring adequate water supply to the area, Rane said, a Rs 131 crore drinking water supply scheme has been chalked out. ``We hope to complete the scheme in twoyears. Once it is complete, there will no shortage of drinking water,'' Rane said.

To a question raised by RR Patil, Rane said his government will probe the alleged nexus between a section of officials and tanker operators.Earlier, making a statement on a calling attention notice given by R R Patil, Minister of State for Rural Development and Water Supply Arjun Khotkar said the existing scheme was completed in 1987. However, due to increase in population, there was shortage of drinking water in the area. Secondly, the main pipeline supplying water to Mira-Bhayander developed cracks on February 28, resulting in collapse of the scheme.

Stating that the Thane collector and chief officer of the municipal council have already been shifted for dereliction of duty, Khotkar said water supply to the area has been increased since March 3. The distribution system is also being revamped to ensure smooth water supply, he added.

At present, 31 million gallons of water are supplied to Mira-Bhayander per day, but thisis not enough. Almost all residents have to buy water by paying a hefty price to tanker owners.