NMMC tries to tap water from discharge of dams in Raigad

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has sought additional water to meet the city’s future requirement. Hence, civic chief Kailas Shinde has asked Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation to provide additional water discharged from the Tata Power’s Mulshi dam through its Bhira power plant to Kundalika river in Mangaon and Valvan dam through Khopoli power plant to Patalganga river in Khalapur, both in Raigad district.The civic body has projected the city’s population to touch 44.20 lakh by 2055 and hence there is need for 1,175MLD water. Currently, the civic body-owned Morbe dam supplies 450 MLD of water.
Both the dams are owned by Tata Power. The power company, after hydro electricity generation, releases water into the Kundalika river in Mangaon and Patalganga river in Khalapur. Currently, Maharashtra State Power Generation Company also generates power in Mangaon in the nearby location.
Water is drawn from Patalganga river by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran and MIDC for onward supplies to Panvel civic body areas and villages enroute, Patalganga and Rasayani industrial belts. The remaining water is drained out into the sea through both Kundalika and Patalganga rivers. Keeping in mind the projected population, with upcoming mass housing schemes, variable floor space index granted in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations, addition of 14 villages in the civic body area, the demand for water will rise about threefold.
A consultant was appointed for the purpose. Thereafter, a technical committee headed by the commissioner was formed to find out new water resources.
The committee has recommended tapping the two new water resources. Accordingly, a concept-cum-pre-feasibility report filed by the committee was approved on Sept 11 this year. As a way forward, the civic body is in the process of appointing an experienced technical expert who will recommend the investment, latest technology requirements, address environmental issues, research and legal aspects. A tender has been floated for the said purpose. The civic body also receives 65 MLD water from the Barvi dam of MIDC under Thane district. Given the projected requirement, additional 700MLD water is required. Further, more than 56 MLD water of Morbe dam is distributed in Kamothe (43MLD), Kharghar (11MLD) and MIDC (2.45 MLD). Shinde has sent a proposal to the executive director of Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation. The civic body additional city engineer Arvind Shinde has been assigned the task to take up further action in this regard through study and coordination. The civic body area faces water cut despite having Morbe dam filled up for the last two successive years. There are questions raised over the ‘Jal Pujan’ done at the dam by political leaders but without resolving the water crisis.
Former corporator from Vashi, Vikram Shinde said, “The civic body officials have failed in containing the pipeline leakages. We first need the report on water supply conditions. The redevelopment of housing societies is adding to more woes of the public in terms of water requirement, traffic congestion among others.”
Nerul activist Sanchu Menon said, "Illegal water connections to entities and water supply to illegal slums have led to water crisis in nodes. The civic body should first stop these water supply illegalities to prevent water misuse and reduce shortages.”