Kharghar: There seems to be no respite for residents of Kharghar. Water cuts continue to harass residents of the posh node which has resulted in the residents hunting for solutions to tide over the crisis.   

Last month, the Kharghar Cooperative Housing Societies Federation, representing 505 societies of the node, had sent a formal letter to CIDCO highlighting the growing water crisis.

Next door, Taloja residents are also facing a harrowing time because of the water crisis. Representatives from 250 housing societies from Taloja phase1 and 2, have threatened to launch an agitation if no solution was found to solve their water problem.

As many as 125 societies in Kharghar are currently experiencing water cuts of 30-50 per cent. Residents have been forced to depend on tanker services to meet their basic needs. The Kharghar federation warned that allowing new projects without securing additional water sources would exacerbate the already dire situation.

The area is already home to approximately 200 new high-rise buildings under construction, and residents fear that the water supply will be further depleted once these projects are completed.
The issue is compounded by a reported shortfall of 18 million litres per day in the water supply to Kharghar and the nearby Taloja region. The demand for water in the area is 100 million litres per day, but the current supply hovers at 82 million litres per day.
There is also growing concern about the additional water demand expected with the upcoming operations at the Navi Mumbai airport and the 25,000 homes being developed under CIDCO’s affordable housing scheme.

With multiple sectors, including 11, 13, and 27-35, already facing severe shortages, many housing societies have been forced to implement water cuts and rely on private tankers. This has placed additional financial strain on residents while also raising concerns over the health risks associated with tanker water.

Despite numerous complaints, CIDCO has failed to take meaningful action to address the water crisis, a Jal Vayu resident said.

The federation has announced plans to meet with CIDCO’s managing director to press for a halt to all new project approvals.

Residents are increasingly frustrated, accusing CIDCO of neglecting the water needs of existing communities while prioritising new developments that further strain already limited resources.