Mumbai’s civic authorities have scheduled a 24-hour water supply suspension across key residential and commercial zones in Bhandup, Mulund, and parts of Thane to facilitate critical pipeline relocation and maintenance works. Slated to begin on January 27 at 10 a.m., the suspension will continue until 10 a.m. the following day, affecting thousands of residents and businesses dependent on uninterrupted water supply.
The works involve the transfer of 12 water connections from the 2,400 mm Vaitarna main pipeline at Mulund (West) to the larger 2,750 mm Upper Vaitarna main pipeline. In parallel, authorities will install protective iron covers on the existing 2,400 mm Vaitarna pipeline in Bhandup (West) to enhance long-term durability and safety. Senior officials emphasised that the project is part of a broader infrastructure upgrade aimed at ensuring resilient water distribution for Mumbai’s expanding urban footprint. Residents in the affected areas have been advised to store sufficient water in advance and employ water conservation measures during the 24-hour disruption. Civic planners also recommended precautionary boiling or filtration of stored water to mitigate any contamination risk immediately following pipeline works. The temporary inconvenience is being framed as a necessary measure to prevent long-term supply disruptions and infrastructure failures.
Urban infrastructure analysts highlight that Mumbai’s water network, serving a population exceeding 20 million, faces challenges in maintaining service reliability while accommodating urban densification. Strategic upgrades, such as this pipeline relocation, allow for increased capacity and improved pressure management, crucial for both domestic consumption and emergency services. By connecting to the larger Upper Vaitarna mainline, the system gains redundancy, enhancing resilience against future supply shocks. The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department has carefully mapped the operational impact, with the suspension affecting detailed localities across Bhandup West, including Lower and Upper Khindipada, as well as extensive sections of Mulund West such as Panchsheel Nagar, Garkhachaal, and Model Town Road. Thane city divisions, including Kisan Nagar and Bhatwadi, will also experience temporary service interruptions. Officials confirmed that outside these zones, water supply will continue uninterrupted, minimising broader disruption.
Experts note that integrating infrastructure upgrades with urban planning is increasingly critical in high-density metropolitan areas. The project demonstrates an alignment between maintenance imperatives and urban resilience goals, emphasising the importance of advanced planning, citizen communication, and operational transparency. As Mumbai continues to expand its built environment, regular maintenance and strategic upgrades of water networks will remain pivotal. Officials indicated that similar future projects will continue to balance immediate urban inconvenience with long-term sustainability, improved service quality, and climate-resilient water delivery for the metropolis.
BMC Announces Temporary Water Shutdown Across Bhandup, Mulund, Thane
