Forest min steps in to fix water crisis

Thane: State forest minister and Palghar guardian minister Ganesh Naik on Thursday stepped in to address the persistent water crisis in DCM Eknath Shinde's fiefdom of Thane, by promising to fast-track the long-delayed Kalu and Shai reservoir projects seen as critical to the city's future water supply.Speaking at a Janata Darbar, Naik responded to demands raised by BJP corporator Namrata Koli, city vice-president Jayendra Koli and other local representatives, who highlighted acute shortages and urged immediate action on the stalled projects.The reservoirs, proposed as an independent water source for Thane, have remained stuck for over two decades due to land acquisition hurdles and resistance from affected villagers. Koli proposed a rehabilitation plan offering project-affected families either 400-500sq ft housing units or a lump-sum compensation package to break the impasse.Naik said he would soon coordinate with Water Resources minister Girish Mahajan to convene a joint meeting at the state secretariat, with local MLAs and corporators in attendance, to resolve pending technical and administrative issues. "The state is positive about providing an independent water reservoir for Thane city. All efforts will be made to clear hurdles through coordinated action," he said.