NMMC promises policy as residents complain of poor water supply

CBD BELAPUR: Several parts of the city have been witnessing water cut and low- pressure supply since last week without prior communication from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

Owing to poor rainfall, water cuts have been announced in several parts of the state.

Cidco had announced a 20% water cut from November 6. However, the NMMC has not made any such announcement despite the reportedly low stock in Morbe dam, the source of water for the city.

The ruling Nationalist Congress Party had prided itself on not announcing water cuts in the city.

An NMMC official said on the condition of anonymity, “The water stock in Morbe is very low. The water will last for three to four months.”

He added that there was a need for proper planning and water cut if the stock has to last till the next monsoon.

He said, “The NMMC had announced a shutdown last Thursday and Friday for repair works. This had led to low pressure water supply in some areas while some were not getting it for only a few hours.”

The action has led to major problems for the residents who are used to a 24x7 water supply.

Kopar Khairane has been the worst- affected. The node has been getting water with very low pressure since Friday. While some sectors did not get any water supply for two days, others did not get it until earlier this week.

Even as water is supplied to several areas in tankers, Kopar Khairane residents could not get hold of tankers on Monday owing to rising demand.

BN Kumar, a resident of Sector 17, Kopar Khairane, said, “There is a terrible water shortage in our area. Even the water tankers are not available. We have to wait for hours to get supply. The situation is similar in Sector 3.”

NMMC executive engineer (water supply) Arvind Shinde said, “We have asked for water management at the ward level to the officials. Soon, we will be finalising a policy on water.”