Navi Mumbai Water Crisis: Shortage Hits Kharghar Societies, Residents Forced to Depend on Tankers

The rapidly developing suburb of Kharghar in Navi Mumbai is currently facing a serious water shortage, forcing residents of several housing societies to depend on water tankers for daily needs.

The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) has developed several major projects in Kharghar, including an 18-hole golf course, Central Park, an international-standard football ground and the Kharghar-Turbhe subway. An international business park is also planned in the area. However, residents allege that the basic water supply infrastructure has failed to keep pace with rapid urban development.

Citizens living in Sectors 30 to 38 are among the worst affected of water shortage. While Kharghar requires nearly 80 MLD (million litres per day) of water, the area is reportedly receiving around 10 MLD less than required, according to a Loksatta report.

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As a result, many housing societies have been forced to rely on motor pumps and private tankers for water supply. Kharghar currently receives water supplied through the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and the Hetwane Dam project. CIDCO has reportedly demanded additional water allocation from the civic body, but no final decision has yet been taken by the Municipal Commissioner.

Former BJP corporators had earlier staged protests against CIDCO over the shortage. Following the agitation, CIDCO had reportedly given a written assurance that no new water connections would be approved until the supply situation stabilised. However, residents allege that the assurance was not implemented after the elections.