TOI: Water study predicts huge rise in demand: August 04, 2008

Mumbai: The demand for water in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is increasing at an alarming pace. 

 By 2011, the region will need another 1,100 million litres a day (mld) and by the end of the next decade, it will need nearly 3,000 mld more, according to a new study. This has not only rattled the state administration, but has compelled a few civic bodies and water authorities to look for new dams and plan to revive dead ones.

 The recent study conducted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with the help of consultancy firm Lee Associates, shows that non-BMC pockets on the mainland will require an additional 511 mld by 2011, while BMC areas will require 500 mld more. State administrators are finding the task of making more water available a challenging one. 

Admitting that present resources are not enough to meet the additional demand, Thane municipal commissioner Nandkumar Jantre said the only alternative is for his administration to revive dead dams, like the Poshir, Kalu and Shahi, which are situated in the basin of the Ulhas river, the main source of drinking water for the non-BMC MMR. “The Panvel and Vasai municipal bodies are also rejuvenating their old dams and searching for new ones,’’ a source in the metropolitan administration said. 

 Principal secretary (water supply) A K Jain said according to water expert Madhav Chitale’s report, Poshir can give 700 mld to areas like Kalyan, Bhiwandi Mira-Bhayander and parts of Thane, while Kalu and the Middle Vaitarna are being eyed as major sources of water for the BMC region in the future. “The Shahi dam’s development can help increase supply for Thane. Also, the height of the Barvi dam will be increased by 2010, sending its contribution from 800 mld to 1,500 mld,’’ said he while admitting that the future scenario will be very chellening and tough.

  Currently, the consumption of water in the BMC region is 3,025 mld, while in the rest of the MMR it is 1,307 mld. “The report was submitted to us in May. Now it has been tabled with the government. A further action plan based on the study will follow,’’ said MMRDA spokesman Dilip Kawathkar, who added that it would be too early to finalise a future strategy. 

 The existing water supply scenario in the non-BMC MMR is already grim, with state authorities resorting to 15 to 20% water cuts almost twice a year. A dispute over the distribution of the Krishna river’s water took its toll on the drinking water supply to MMR, resulting in a 20% cut to five municipal corporations and around nine municipal councils.

 The Krishna’s water is diverted to the MMR via the Aundh dam in Pune. The Aundh supplies that water to the Tata hydro-power’s Bhivpuri dam, which finally releases it in the Ulhas river.

Quenching Thirst

The demand for water in the MMR’s western pockets (Mira-Bhayander, Vasai, Navghar-Manikpur, Nallasopara and Virar) has gone up to 170 mld and by 2011 it will require another 170 mld

The north-eastern region (Thane, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan-Dombivili, Badlapur and Ambernath) consumes 902 mld at present and its requirement by 2011 will be 260 mld more

Navi Mumbai, which has its own dam, will require more than 210 mld by 2011. Areas like Panvel-Uran, Neral-Karjat and Pen-Alibaug will need 50 mld more by 2011. At present they get 80 mld