Mumbai, a city that depends on complex water systems to sustain its 20 million residents, is bracing for a temporary cut in supply this week. The civic authority has confirmed that a 10 per cent water cut will be imposed across multiple wards from October 7 to 9 as part of critical upgradation works at the Pise water treatment plant.
Located near Bhiwandi, the Pise Panjrapur complex is one of Mumbai’s most vital water facilities, catering to nearly 55 per cent of the city’s total supply. The plant houses settling and filtration units, chlorination systems, laboratories, substations and pumping installations, and operates continuously to meet the demands of the city. Officials said the current works are being undertaken to install an electricity meter at the 100-kilowatt substation that powers the complex, a necessary upgrade for long-term operational efficiency. The water cut will impact both the island city and eastern suburbs. In South Mumbai, areas in A ward (Churchgate, Fort), B ward (Bhindi Bazaar, Masjid), E ward (Byculla), F North (Matunga, Sion) and F South (Parel) are expected to face supply restrictions. In the suburbs, residents in Kurla, Govandi, Deonar, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Nahur, Kanjurmarg and Mulund will also experience reduced supply.
Officials have appealed to households and businesses to store sufficient water in advance and to use resources judiciously over the three-day period. They have emphasised that the disruption, though inconvenient, is unavoidable in order to ensure that the plant remains reliable and capable of meeting Mumbai’s growing water needs. Urban infrastructure experts say the temporary cut is a reminder of the fragile balance that mega cities face between water demand and supply. Mumbai’s dependence on a handful of treatment plants leaves it vulnerable to such disruptions whenever maintenance or upgrades are required. Analysts have also noted that with rising population pressures, the city must increasingly invest in sustainable water management strategies such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and decentralised supply systems to reduce reliance on centralised facilities.
Residents, meanwhile, are preparing for the cut with cautious planning. For many, this episode is not just about storing water but also about adapting to the broader challenge of managing a limited natural resource in one of the world’s most densely populated urban centres. While the civic body has assured that normal supply will resume after October 9, the episode underscores the urgency of modernising Mumbai’s water infrastructure and making it resilient against future stresses. Balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability remains the larger challenge for the city.
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