Maharashtra sets up panel to plan Mumbai Metropolitan Region's water needs till 2051

The Maharashtra government has constituted a committee to draw up a long-term water management plan for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The region covers Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas. The aim is to meet whatever the demand for water may be up to 2051.

The committee is headed by Dr Sanjay Belsare, a retired secretary of the Water Resources Department. He has been asked to submit the report within three months.

The committee will first assess how much water will be needed in 2031, 2041 and 2051. The assessment will be based on population growth, urbanisation, the spread of industry and infrastructure projects that have already been planned. It will also examine the supply currently being provided in urban, industrial and rural areas. Water projects that are under way or proposed will be reviewed, and the likelihood of water shortages in the years ahead will be assessed.

Identifying new sources of water is also part of the committee's task. It will also look into measures such as wastewater recycling, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reducing pipeline leakage and improving the efficiency of distribution. The impact of climate change on the availability of water will be assessed as well.

The plan will set infrastructure priorities. It will also state the cost of projects and their funding requirements, and fix a timeline for implementing them to ensure adequate water supply across the region.

The committee has representatives of several agencies, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Thane, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation and other agencies concerned.

To help with the assessment, government departments and local bodies will provide data to the committee. The data will relate to population projections, industrial development and existing and proposed water infrastructure.

The initiative aims to prepare a coordinated water security strategy for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region amid rising demand and rapid urban growth.