With projects like Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and restrictions on the height of buildings removed, more high-rises will come with additional units of houses, and present water resources will not be adequate to cater the future need.
WD News: To tide over the rising demand for water and meet its requirement till 2055, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has formed a special committee to find alternative water resources. At present, the civic body has a Morbe dam that has enough water to meet the demand of the present average population of 17.5 lakhlahksWith several mega infrastructure projects including Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) lined up, the requirement for water will increase in years to come.
As the restriction on the height of buildings has also been removed, more high-rises will come with additional units of houses, the present water resources will not be adequate to cater the future need. As per a survey conducted by MMRDA, the population of the NMMC area will be approximately 44 lahks by 2055, after 32 years. In addition, the process of including 14 villages in the NMMC area is underway and discussions were held regarding the future development of that area.
Considering the rapid development of Navi Mumbai, which is known as a water-rich city due to its self-owned Morbe Dam project, the future will require increased water resources.
Earlier, NMMC had appointed a consultant to study present sources of water and find alternate resources to meet the future needs of water. The consultant presented various options before the committee for consideration after studying various alternatives carefully, such as the use of groundwater, water availability from water sources near the NMMC area, increasing the height of Morbe dam, tapping water sources like Kondhane water source, Balganga water source, lifting of water from Patalganga river during the rainy season, water from Kundalika river, and water from Bhira dam.
Since the period of CIDCO when NMMC was not formed, a water supply of 200 litres per person per day has been maintained and accordingly it has been planned that the future water supply requirement should be estimated. It was also considered that the report of the Chitale Committee should be taken as a basis for this. While considering the future need for water supply in the NMMC area, the civic body has to coordinate with CIDCO and the neighboring Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Source & image courtesy: Free Press Journal
