Don't supply Morbe dam water for construction, industrial purpose: Residents to NMMC

As the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) battles water crisis against the backdrop of deficient rains and with the MIDC already imposing a two-day cut in its areas, Navi Mumbaikars are demanding that the civic body should not supply drinking water to constructions and industries and divert it for domestic purposes. These are among the few suggestions made by the residents as part of the smart city project, especially to tide over the present water crisis. "Everyone is aware that this year rains have been deficient, and as a result, water crisis is looming. Although there have been assurances of 24x7 water supply in the city, these are hollow assurances and not practical ones," says Sudhir Patil, a resident of Vashi.

Patil adds, "Against the backdrop of all these events, the NMMC administration should ensure that drinking water from Morbe dam is not used for construction activity in the city or for any industrial purposes." Civic chief DT Waghmare, too, had admitted that there is only 55 per cet water stock in Morbe dam and it needs to be used judiciously. Though the civic chief had informed the general body about 20 per cent water cut in the satellite city, the same is still to take shape as a green signal from political bosses in Navi Mumbai is yet to be given. "Morbe has water stock which can last up to March, if water supply is not controlled now," says a civic official, requesting anonymity.

Patil says, "The civic body can supply treated water to construction activity or industries after all so much water is treated and simply released in the creek." The civic official adds, "The civic body has already started using such water for watering plants on road dividers and if need be we will ensure supply of such water for industrial purposes and construction as well."Control water wastage* Alarmed by reports of water wastage in city, the NMMC had in July 2014, started with the process to calculate amount of water that can be supplied to the satellite city and as a step in this direction had roped in Administrative Staff of India, Hyderabad, to decide on the amount of water that can be supplied to Navi Mumbai* The organisation guides and formulates parameters for supply of water in the country. They had made some basic suggestions to plug water leakages* However, it is still not known whether the suggestions have been implemented or not