Highlighting the growing water demand in the rapidly expanding satellite city, MLA Manda Mhatre has called for urgent steps to identify alternative water sources for Navi Mumbai. Raising the issue during the ongoing winter session in Nagpur, she emphasized the importance of planning for the city's future needs as its population continues to rise.

“Navi Mumbai’s growth trajectory has resulted in an increasing demand for water, becoming a significant concern for residents,” Mhatre noted. Currently, the city relies on the Morbe Dam, located on the Dhavari River in Khalapur taluka, Raigad district, which supplies approximately 450 Million Liters per Day (MLD) of water.

However, with the city's population projected to grow exponentially, driven by developments such as the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, reconstruction of CIDCO’s old buildings, large-scale construction in village areas, slum expansion in MIDC zones, and the conversion of industrial land for residential use, the demand for water is expected to surge beyond the dam’s capacity.

“The government must act swiftly to identify and develop sustainable water sources to secure the future water needs of Navi Mumbai. Measures must be implemented to ensure uninterrupted and reliable water supply for its residents,” stressed Mhatre.

She also urged the authorities to consider innovative water management solutions and infrastructure development to address the growing water demand effectively.