CIDCO to solve water crisis in Navi Mumbai

The fast-developing regions have for long been suffering from severe water shortages. Residents of Navi Mumbai, Kharghar and Panvel have often cited issues related to the scarcity of water in these areas. The government agency Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) Board has decided to take several measures in order to solve the water crisis.

The CIDCO Board has decided to reserve an additional 120 million litres a day (MLD) water from the Hetwane dam. The additional water to be received from Hetwane dam will be used for various projects, villages, and towns in South Navi Mumbai.

Even, the planning agency has approved a proposal for payment of INR 119.8 crores to the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation of the Department of Water Resources.

According to sources, CIDCO had started the work of constructing underground aqueduct for Hetwane dam last year. The excavation work of the tunnel beneath Hamrapur hill for the pipeline, connecting Hetwane dam to the city, at the depth of 20-25 metre is near completion. This project is to be completed till February-end.

As a result, CIDCO will receive an additional quota of 30 MLD water from Hetwane dam, an official said.

At present, the water from the Hetwane dam is supplied to Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) area and a few nodes and nearby villages of CIDCO’s jurisdiction. Till now, CIDCO has reserved 150 MLD water from the Hetwane dam.

A press release issued by CIDCO stated that at present micro tunnelling work is going to withdraw additional water from the Hetwane dam. The tunnelling work is almost at the last stage.

In addition, the state government has also handed over the Kondhane dam of Karjat taluka with 50 MLD to CIDCO. However, the planning of this dam project is under process.

The population of Panvel and Uran taluka developed by CIDCO as South Navi Mumbai has reached 20 lakhs. CIDCO’s mass housing scheme and various projects being developed at nodes like Taloja, New Roadpali, Kamothe, Kalamboli, Ulwe, and Dronagiri come under this region. Thus, the daily water demand of those residential areas is already increasing.

However, considering the increasing population in the city, developments of projects like Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mass Housing Scheme, Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area, the water demand of the city till the year 2050 will be around 1275 MLD.