Residents struggle amid irregular supply

Several settlements in the Turbhe area, including Indira Nagar, Ganpati Pada, and Chunabhatti, have been grappling with a severe water crisis for the past few months. Irregular water supply has left these neighbourhoods facing frequent dry spells, with some residents going without water for two to three consecutive days. Despite Navi Mumbai owning the Morbe Dam, the Turbhe MIDC area lacks a direct connection to the water supply network from the dam, forcing residents to rely on water supplied by the MIDC.

In recent weeks, the water situation has worsened, with the MIDC administration releasing water only around midnight. This schedule forces residents to stay awake late at night to fill their water containers. In cases where the MIDC halts water supply for maintenance, the interruption can last from Friday until late Sunday evening, further aggravating the crisis.

The slums in the Turbhe MIDC area are primarily home to middle-class and low-income labourers who bear the brunt of these challenges. Water pipelines in the region often run under drains or along hillsides, causing frequent leaks and reducing water pressure. As a result, water supply fails to reach higher areas, leaving many residents waiting for four to five hours just to access drinking water.

Months ago, Mahesh Kotiwale, Shiv Sena's sub-city chief from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, collaborated with local residents to address the issue, leading a "Handa Morcha" protest that temporarily improved the situation. However, the problem has resurfaced over the past four months, reigniting concerns over the area's water supply.

Expressing frustration over the ongoing crisis Kotiwale said "The water is supplied at night forcing the residents to be awake and fill water for their day to day needs. In order to make the water supply smooth, a protest was held at the Municipal Turbhe Division office. Yet no positive result”.

Meanwhile, Prabodhan Mawade, the Turbhe Ward Officer of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, has pledged to inspect the affected areas and resolve the water issues soon. "Regarding the water problem in Turbhe Indira Nagar area, an inspection will be done there, and soon the water problem will be solved”.