Taloja MIDC may get treated water from Cidco areas

The Navi Mumbai crime branch raided a bar at Nerul on Friday and rescued four women who were allegedly forced into prostitution.

The police had received information about the flesh trade at Radha Krishna: Raj Inn restaurant and lodge at MIDC Shirvane. “We had received a tip-off that the manager, cashier and waiters of the lodge were involved in flesh trade and they were procuring women with the help of some agents,” said a senior officer from crime branch.

The police sent two officers posing as customer to the bar. After getting confirmed reports, a police team conducted the raid and rescued the women.

They arrested the manager, cashier and waiter for forcing the girls into flesh trade.

The arrested persons include manager Rajesh Ramananda Shetty, 33, cashier Mukund Khedan Yadav, 38, and Dhiraj Chamrisao Kumar, 23.

“The rescued women had been working there for the past several months. After conducting medical tests at NMMC hospital in Vashi, we have sent them to a remand home,” the officer said.

CIDCO has given positive response to the demand for supplying treated water from its nodes to Taloja MIDC industrial area to ensure adequate water supply in the region.

Taloja industrial area has a daily requirement of 47 mld water supply. Such supply will help resolve the present water supply shortage there.

Most of the around 55 mld of treated water from CIDCO residential areas is released in the creek. Of the treated water just 8 mld water is used by supplying it to the golf course and gardens.

MAHAGENCO had proposed generation of electricity from the treated water. However, since no decision was taken on it, the water continues to be released in the creek.

The wastage of treated water had come to the fore this summer, when there was acute shortage of water. The MIDC industries had to face 30% water cut this summer. Since there would be shutdown on 2 days, its effect would also be felt on the third day due to low pressure of water supply.

Taloja Manufacturers Association (TMA) has been following up on the issue of use of treated water from the sewage treatment plants of New Panvel, Khanda colony, Kalamboli, Kamothe and Kharghar being used for the Taloja industries.

TMA held a meeting with industries minister Subhash Desai on the demand for water. He had been informed that the shortage in MIDC could be made up by supplying treated water.

A meeting had also been held on the issue with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis by TMA president Sandeep Dongre and secretary Jayeshree Katkar.

Katkar said, “Water can be taken from Kalamboli and Kharghar immediately. There is however an issue over who will bear the cost of the supply — Cidco, MIDC or the state government.”

She said, “The treated water generated at present cannot be used for production purposes by the industries. It can only be used for washing, cooling and gardens here. Its RO level will have to be increased to be used for production purpose.”

According to Kiran Phanse, superintending engineer, Cidco, “At present, water is being supplied to some gardens. There are plans to divert it to the industries.”

MIDC is conducting a survey for the use of treated water. According to MIDC divisional engineer, CV Chavan, “We are conducting surveys to explore the possibility of using treated water from MIDC areas for the industries. “

He said, “At the higher level, a global agency has been appointed to survey the options of using treated water from neighbouring townships and also re-use of water from the industries.”