Navi Mumbai: NMMC To Cut Daily Water Extraction By 80 MLD As Morbe Dam Stock Falls To 69.16 Per Cent

Navi Mumbai's water situation is worsening as the usable water stock at Morbe Dam has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, at 69.16%. In response to this and the El Niño situation, along with government directives for water conservation, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to cut daily water extraction from 480 MLD to 400 MLD. This reduction of 80 MLD is aimed at ensuring continued drinking water supply until August 2027.

The plan to achieve this reduction includes curbing water use for gardens, construction, vehicle washing, and other non-drinking purposes. NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde explained that this will involve turning to borewell water and treated sewage, using tankers where necessary, and installing storage tanks in gardens. Additionally, water consumption at vehicle washing centers and construction sites will be regulated, and unauthorized consumption will be prevented.

The civic body also plans to install pressure regulation systems and flow meters to manage consumption more effectively. While they are confident that drinking water supply will not be curtailed, the challenge is to reduce the overall extraction by 80 MLD without affecting household supply. Discussions also covered water supply to various ward areas, CIDCO's Kharghar and Kamothe nodes, Panvel rural belt villages, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran areas, and rehabilitated villages in the Morbe Dam region.