Even as Kharghar residents grapple with a severe water crisis, apathy of CIDCO and public representatives had aggravated their problem. With summer fast approaching, the condition had become worrisome for residents.

Sectors 11, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 27 to 35 were facing severe shortage, residents said. Several societies had started water cuts and were regulating supply to cope with the shortage. 

Several societies had started hiring water private tankers which not only posed health risks but also added to the financial strain.

Despite repeated complaints and written appeals from housing societies, residents claim CIDCO had failed to implement effective solutions. 

“From sector 20 onwards and from Sector 5 to Taloja, that is still a low supply area, where water is given around 60 to 70 per cent, lesser than the usual requirement,” Amit Kumar, a resident from Arihant Krupa sector 27, Kharghar 

There are 29 cooperative housing societies that are facing this problem, Cdr Kalawat added.

Residents lashed out at CIDCO for approving new housing projects while failing to plan for the optimal supply of water for the societies which were already populated. 

“CIDCO needs to consider that if new projects are coming in, but they cannot meet the needs of residents at society level then why are they approving these new constructions,” Kumar said, adding there has been no proper management of water.

To address this on citizen’s demands, former corporator Netra Kiran Patil met Ganesh Deshmukh, CIDCO joint managing director to demand urgent action.

Deshmukh reportedly assured residents that water supply would improve soon. He said that once the critical phase of the Balganga Dam project is completed, water availability will increase significantly. CIDCO is also working on fast-tracking the Nhava Sheva Phase 3 pipeline.

Kiran Patil, BJP Kharghar mandal vice president said that if no immediate action is taken, residents will begin a protest. 

However, residents pooh-poohed Patil’s claims stating that BJP was in power in the state and also in the PMC. “They are also responsible for the mess that we are in,” a resident of sector 20 alleged.