Navi Mumbai residents faced a severe water crisis on Thursday after a major pipeline leak disrupted the city’s water supply. The 1800 mm diameter pipeline, which supplies water to the entire NMMC area, developed a leak near Nerul Sector 46. The leak forced the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to shut down the water supply from the Bhokarpada Water Treatment Plant for over 12 hours to carry out emergency repair work. The sudden disruption left many residents without water, impacting daily routines and causing inconvenience.
The NMMC authorities initiated a swift response to the crisis, deploying teams to repair the damaged pipeline. The repair work was carried out on a war footing, with engineers working round-the-clock to restore water supply. While the pipeline has been repaired, the water supply is expected to resume at low pressure on Friday. Residents have been advised to use water judiciously and cooperate with the authorities. The NMMC has also appealed to tanker operators to provide water supply to affected areas, especially hospitals and other critical facilities. Water shortages in urban areas like Navi Mumbai are a recurring problem, often exacerbated by factors such as aging infrastructure, increasing demand, and climate change. The incident highlights the need for proactive measures to maintain and upgrade the city’s water supply infrastructure. The NMMC should invest in regular maintenance and inspection of its water pipelines to prevent such incidents in the future. Additionally, the city authorities should explore alternative water sources, such as desalination plants, to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for its growing population.
