Residents of Navi Mumbai are grappling with worsening water shortages as delays in the implementation of a critical water supply project continue to impact daily life. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), which is responsible for urban planning and infrastructure development in Navi Mumbai, has been working on an ambitious water scheme intended to augment the city’s water resources. However, prolonged delays have now put additional strain on the existing supply network, creating widespread concern among households and industries alike.
The project, aimed at drawing water from the Balganga river and channeling it into Navi Mumbai’s storage and distribution system, was expected to provide a sustainable long-term solution to meet the growing demands of the rapidly urbanising region. Cidco had announced that once completed, the scheme would significantly reduce the city’s dependence on other municipal sources, ensuring equitable distribution to residential, industrial, and commercial zones. However, despite repeated assurances, the project has missed several deadlines due to administrative bottlenecks, contractor delays, and cost escalations. Officials indicated that land acquisition hurdles and clearances from multiple government departments have further slowed progress. Meanwhile, the population of Navi Mumbai continues to grow, creating a demand-supply mismatch that is being felt more acutely each summer and during low rainfall periods.
In recent weeks, several residential nodes across Navi Mumbai, including Kharghar, Taloja, Panvel, and Kalamboli, have reported irregular water supply and increased dependence on private tankers. Residents have expressed frustration, pointing out that water cuts are forcing families to adjust daily routines, while tanker services are driving up household expenses. Many societies have begun rationing supply to manage the limited availability. Industries in Navi Mumbai’s planned industrial zones have also raised concerns over the delays. Manufacturing and service units, which rely heavily on a stable water supply, warn that the shortage could affect productivity and long-term investment sentiment. Civic activists have highlighted that timely completion of the Balganga project is essential not just for urban convenience but also for sustaining economic growth in one of Maharashtra’s key planned cities.
Cidco officials maintain that efforts are underway to expedite the project. They assured that pending permissions and technical clearances are in the final stages and that the first phase of the project could be commissioned soon. They also stated that contingency measures, including additional pumping and redistribution, are being deployed to manage current shortages. Yet, residents remain sceptical, pointing to past promises that failed to materialise. With water demand expected to rise further in the coming years, experts argue that Navi Mumbai’s water security depends on the swift and efficient completion of the project. For a city envisioned as a modern urban alternative to Mumbai, reliable water infrastructure is viewed as central to sustaining its growth and ensuring quality of life for its citizens.
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