A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to be convened to review the ongoing water supply challenges in Panvel and Uran, following issues raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The development comes after MLA Prashant Thakur highlighted concerns related to water supply management in CIDCO-administered areas and called for a more structured and long-term solution. MLA Mahesh Baldi has also been pursuing the matter.
Responding in the Assembly, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed that the government is considering the formation of a dedicated authority on the lines of STEM to streamline water supply planning and execution in the region.
Concerns raised in the Assembly
During the discussion, MLA Thakur pointed to gaps between projected water supply plans and the actual situation on the ground, noting that certain areas continue to face shortages despite multiple augmentation measures being cited.
He also drew attention to the dependence on tanker supply in some pockets, stating that such arrangements should ideally remain temporary rather than recurring.
Current supply and planned measures
According to the government’s response, CIDCO currently sources water from multiple systems, including Patalganga, Hetawane and Morbe, with a combined supply of around 342 MLD, against a requirement of approximately 365 MLD in 2026.
The shortfall is more visible in areas such as Kharghar, Kamothe, New Panvel and Taloja.
The government outlined both immediate and long-term measures, including:
- Potential additional supply through coordination with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
- Diversion from the JNPT line
- Expected augmentation from Nhava Sheva Phase III, projected to add further capacity
Structural reform under consideration
The proposal to establish a dedicated water management authority is being viewed as a policy-level intervention aimed at improving coordination between agencies and ensuring more consistent supply.
Minister Misal stated that the government is open to taking a policy decision in this regard, while also examining operational aspects such as system automation and possible transfer of responsibilities to local bodies where feasible.
The upcoming meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders to review both immediate gaps and long-term planning, as the region continues to expand and demand for water rises.
