A citizens’ organisation has called on the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to prioritise long-term rainwater storage infrastructure by restoring historic water bodies and creating new urban reservoirs, arguing that the city’s recurring water concerns require structural solutions rather than seasonal conservation campaigns. The proposal links water security, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation, placing sustainable resource management at the centre of the city’s future urban planning. In a detailed representation submitted to the municipal administration, the forum recommended that the ongoing monsoon be utilised to accelerate projects capable of capturing runoff that otherwise drains into the Arabian Sea. Central to the proposal is the restoration and expansion of the historic lake on Belapur Hill in CBD Belapur, alongside the development of an additional reservoir in the Green Valley area to strengthen urban water security.
The recommendations come against the backdrop of recent water supply restrictions experienced despite Navi Mumbai’s dependence on the Morbe Dam. Although widespread rainfall during July improved reservoir conditions, civic groups argue that the episode exposed the vulnerability of relying heavily on a single drinking water source in an era of increasingly unpredictable monsoon patterns driven by climate change. Urban water experts suggest that distributed storage infrastructure can complement large reservoirs by retaining stormwater closer to where it falls. Restored lakes, retention ponds and recharge structures help reduce runoff losses, replenish groundwater aquifers and improve the resilience of urban water systems during prolonged dry periods. Such investments are increasingly viewed as essential as cities face more erratic rainfall characterised by short periods of intense precipitation followed by extended dry spells. The forum has urged the municipal corporation to commission scientific assessments involving hydrologists, geologists and environmental specialists to identify suitable locations for future reservoirs, rainwater harvesting structures and groundwater recharge zones.
According to urban planners, integrating these facilities into city planning could conserve substantial volumes of rainwater while reducing pressure on conventional water supply infrastructure. Beyond water conservation, the proposal highlights ecological benefits associated with restoring natural landscapes. Permanent water bodies across the Belapur, Parsik and Kharghar hill ranges could provide reliable water sources for wildlife, improve habitat connectivity and support native vegetation. Environmental specialists have also called for coordinated management of these hill ecosystems, noting that fragmented administrative responsibilities have hindered integrated conservation efforts and allowed continued encroachments. The representation further recommends reducing the use of treated potable water for activities such as gardening, vehicle washing and commercial cleaning. It proposes mandatory groundwater sources for non-potable uses in housing societies, supported by compulsory rainwater harvesting systems to ensure aquifer recharge and more efficient resource utilisation.
As Navi Mumbai continues to expand, specialists believe strengthening urban water security will require a combination of natural infrastructure restoration, scientific planning and policy reforms. Whether the proposed measures are incorporated into municipal planning will shape the city’s ability to build a more climate-resilient water system while balancing urban growth with environmental sustainability.
