The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has unveiled its comprehensive Navi Mumbai Water Strategy 2050, a critical roadmap designed to secure the burgeoning metropolitan area’s water future. This forward-looking plan, aiming to meet an anticipated demand of 1,275 million litres per day (MLD) by mid-century, directly addresses the city’s recent water vulnerabilities, including the challenging summer of 2025. It underscores a proactive approach to sustainable urban development, crucial for maintaining Navi Mumbai’s appeal as a sought-after urban centre and fostering an equitable, eco-friendly environment for its rapidly expanding populace.
Navi Mumbai, initially conceived as a decongestion solution for Mumbai, has transformed into a dynamic urban hub. Its exponential growth, driven by key infrastructure projects like the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), and extensive mass housing schemes, necessitates a robust and future-proof water management framework. The recent disruptions in water supply, characterised by extended cuts and reliance on tanker services for residents, starkly highlighted the imperative for systematic augmentation and modernisation of the existing water network. These incidents serve as a potent reminder that rapid urbanisation must be intrinsically linked with resilient utility planning.
CIDCO’s strategy primarily focuses on augmenting existing resources and tapping into new ones to ensure long-term water security. A cornerstone of this plan is the phased augmentation of the Hetawane Water Supply Scheme, an earthfill dam located in Pen. With significant progress already noted in its water treatment plant and tunnel construction, the scheme is slated for completion by June 2029. This augmentation includes an additional 120 MLD sanctioned by the Maharashtra government, boosting Hetawane’s total contribution to 270 MLD, providing critical supply to areas under CIDCO and the Panvel Municipal Corporation.
Complementing this, CIDCO is actively developing new water sources, notably the Kondhane Dam on the Ulhas River and the Balganga Dam projects. Expected to be operational within the next five years, Kondhane Dam alone is projected to initially provide 250 MLD, with potential for expansion to 350 MLD, specifically catering to the growing demands of the NAINA project. Furthermore, the strategy involves optimising supply from existing sources like the Morbe Dam, which currently serves a significant portion of Navi Mumbai, alongside leveraging capacities from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). This diversified approach aims to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single source and monsoon variability.
This comprehensive water strategy is integral to Navi Mumbai’s aspirations for sustainable and equitable urbanisation. A reliable water supply is a fundamental pillar of public health and economic stability. By investing in resilient water infrastructure, CIDCO is not merely addressing current shortages but building a foundation for a gender-neutral city where every resident, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, has consistent access to this vital resource. Furthermore, by improving infrastructure to minimise leakages and promoting conservation practices like rainwater harvesting and greywater usage, the city is moving towards a more eco-friendly and resource-efficient model of urban living.
While the roadmap presents a compelling vision, challenges persist, including potential population growth exceeding projections and the perennial dependence on monsoon rainfall. However, CIDCO’s proactive stance, coupled with its engagement in advanced engineering for projects like the Hetawane tunnels, reflects a robust commitment. The successful execution of this 2050 water strategy, complemented by community-level water conservation efforts, will be paramount in solidifying Navi Mumbai’s status as a mega-city, exemplifying sustainable urban development for the benefit of all its inhabitants.
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