Thane Municipal Corporation Seeks Emergency Water Supply from Mumbai to Avert Summer Crisis
Facing persistent and severe water scarcity, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has formally requested an additional 50 million liters per day (MLD) of water from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This urgent appeal aims to mitigate a looming shortage anticipated to intensify during the upcoming summer season.
Formal Request Made During BMC Quota Meeting
The demand was presented to BMC officials during a recent meeting focused on water allocation quotas. This session followed a review meeting convened by Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimplolkar in her office. A senior TMC official explained, "TMC currently draws 590 MLD from various sources, including 250 MLD from the Bhatsa reservoir. BMC has a quota of 2,100 MLD from Bhatsa but is currently drawing less. We have requested permission to utilize 50 MLD from their unused share."
The proposal is now under active discussion with the BMC. Upon receiving BMC's approval, the request will be forwarded to the state irrigation department for final authorization, which would permit TMC to lift the additional water directly from the reservoir.
Infrastructure and Distribution Plans
To implement this plan, TMC must enhance its existing infrastructure to lift the extra 50 MLD from the Bhatsa source. The water will then be routed to the Temghar treatment plant before being distributed across the city. This measure is critical as Thane continues to experience a significant water deficit, a situation projected to deteriorate with rising summer temperatures.
Ongoing Local Scarcity Despite Assurances
Meanwhile, numerous areas within Thane city are already grappling with acute water shortages, despite repeated official assurances. BJP corporator Sitaram Rane, who recently assessed the water supply in his ward, reported severe issues. He lamented, "Residents in nearly 78 societies in Shivai Nagar and Upwan area have been receiving water with very low pressure for the past few days, and for barely 30 minutes." Rane has instructed officials to ensure at least one hour of high-pressure supply and to implement immediate remedial actions.
Mayoral Intervention and Public Frustration
Mayor Sharmila Pimplolkar has taken a stern view of the escalating crisis. She has directed the water supply department to execute adequate corrective measures to prevent any severe shortages during the summer months. Public frustration is mounting, with one resident along Ghodbunder Highway expressing dismay that the situation has not improved over several months, despite the region receiving abundant rainfall previously.
The combined efforts of administrative requests, infrastructure upgrades, and local interventions underscore the critical nature of Thane's water scarcity challenge as the city braces for a potentially difficult summer season.
