NMMC turns down PCMC’s request for 5 MLD water

NAVI MUMBAI: The Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been forced to find an alternate source for its 5 MLD water requirement as the NMMC’s general body has rejected a proposal to supply 5 MLD of water to its neighbouring corporation.
Majority of the General Body members voted against the proposal, prompting mayor Sudhakar Sonawane to turn down the requisition.PCMC is now in a fix to tide over the grim situation of making up for the depleted level of stock at Dehrang dam.
NMMC administration’s proposal to release 5 MLD water from Morbe dam to PCMC was rejected on Tuesday without any discussion or reason being cited. “Even I am not aware as to what led the House to vote against the proposal,” Sonawane said.
NMMC was ready to release 5 MLD water from Morbe to PCMC and had even considered charging Rs 9 per 1,000 litres. But the general body played spoilsport while disapproving it. The water was to be provided by connecting the pipelines of Morbe to Dehrang’s supply system. Morbe dam’s line run through PCMC area.
But PCMC chief Sudhakar Shinde is still hopeful of convincing NMMC. “I am upset with the NMMC decision to reject our proposal. However, I will speak to the NMMC commissioner and urge him to reconsider the request as our main source of supply, Dehrang dam, is running out of stock since there has been meagre rainfall in the catchment area. Therefore, 5 MLD of water is big for us.”
The PCMC administration is concerned about catering to its population in the old township and adjoining areas which are dependent on Dehrang dam besides water from MJP and MIDC because of the delay in the arrival of the monsoon.
“We get water every alternate day and for four days in a week but this is not enough to meet the demand. We need more water as compared to NMMC areas which get a daily supply of water,” said Kishore Raut, a Panvel resident. According to Panvel civic body officials, the old township has been getting five days’ of supply in a week.