Water shortage dries up gardens

With the state reeling under drought, Navi Mumbai too has not been exempt from water shortage. The water shortage has had an effect on 216 gardens in the city which seem to be losing their greenery.

With just 40 tankers supplying water to these tankers, the plants are not getting adequate water to ensure the lush greenery that they have been known for. The trees too are drying up. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is facing a grave challenge to keep the gardens alive for the next two months till the onset of monsoon.

Tree lovers are demanding that the civic body use STP or creek water for the gardens.

A number of people flock to the gardens in summer to escape the scorching heat but they do not seem to be getting the shade that they are looking for. The number of birds have also reduced in the gardens.

The garden in Belapur, located next to the creek, has not received water for a month now. This has led to the entire grass here turning brown owing to the heat. The residents coming to the garden do not even get drinking water.

Several street lights are not working. The seating arrangement too is not proper. Hence, a number of people sit on the boundary wall near the creek, risking their lives.

Most of the gardens in the city are facing a water shortage. The efforts being made by the garden department are not enough, leading to the gardens being in trouble.

When contacted, deputy municipal commissioner (garden) Chandrakant Tayde said, “We are doing all that we can to ensure that the gardens remain green. Water is being supplied from borewells, ponds and wells to gardens in Belapur, Palm Beach road and Nerul among others.”

He added, “At some places, the plants on the dividers are being watered using treated water from the STP through the tankers. Drinking water is being used at four gardens.”

“At present, adequate water is being supplied to the gardens at 80 places,” said Tayde.