‘Give Cidco officials cop cover during water protests’

Concerned by the rising distress among residents over the acute water shortage in the city, City and Industrial Development Cor poration ( Cidco) has planned to step up security of its officials.

“We have met with the police department and requested t hem t o provide adequate security to our officers and personnel during the rallies and agitations,” said Ramesh Giri, superintending engineer ( water supply), Cidco.

In the past few weeks, residents, supported by political parties, have organised several rallies to protest against the water shortage. Owing to tremendous pressure, Cidco has requested the police to provide additional security to its personnel during rallies.

Wednesday’s i ncident of ink being thrown at an official during a rally by the BJP has further fuelled the fears of the Cidco.

“With elections due next year in Panvel, the political parties have found an issue to cash in on. We have more than one rally every day,” said a Cidco official, on condition of anonymity.

“On Wednesday, i nk was thrown on executive engineer Dilip Bokde at Kamothe, next time it could be something serious,” he said.

New Panvel and Khanda colonies have 4,040 housing units and 2,650 housing societies. Kalamboli has 5,900 housing units and around 1,150 housing societies.

To cater to the rising population in these areas, Cidco needs 85 million litres of water a day ( mld) from Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran ( MJP). With MJP resorting to a 25% cut, Cidco gets only 60 mld of water, that too with low pres- sure. This has water shortage.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation supplies 38 mld to Cidco to cater to 5,000 consumers in Kharghar and Kamothe areas that require over 50 mld.

However, NMMC too has resorted to water cuts. “Last week only 15 mld water was received from NMMC’s Morbe dam. Hence, Kamothe faced water crunch,” said Giri.

Hetawane dam’s 150 mld is reserved for Cidco but since the pumping capacity is low, almost 40% water remains unused.

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