Mumbai's Water Dilemma: Navigating Shortages Amid Surging Demand

Mumbai faces a water supply crisis as population growth and infrastructure boom drive demand beyond reservoir capacity. Efforts like the Gargai project are underway to address shortages. Deputy CM Shinde highlights the city's 92% reservoir capacity, underscoring the need for careful supply management.

Mumbai is grappling with a significant water supply challenge as the city's demand consistently surpasses available reservoir capacity, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the state assembly on Wednesday.

Shinde attributed the rising water demand to rapid population growth, large-scale housing projects, and ongoing infrastructure developments, which have intensified pressure on the city's water resources. In a statement during the question hour, he revealed that the stock of water in the seven reservoirs serving Mumbai was at approximately 92 percent as of November 15.

Addressing the query from Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Sunil Prabhu regarding the city's inadequate water supply, Shinde noted that Mumbai's water needs range between 4,500 and 4,600 million litres per day (MLD), while the actual requirement, considering the population, stands at 4,665 MLD. To mitigate shortages, the municipal administration assesses dam capacities and projected demand annually post-monsoon. Long-term solutions like the Gargai water supply project are in progress, with engineering works nearing completion and the tendering process underway.

(With inputs from agencies.)