Vasai-Virar faces 10% water cut as mayor seeks report within eight days

Vasai-Virar is likely to face a deepening water shortage because of a growing population, inadequate supply and the possible impact of El Nino. The state government has directed a 10 per cent water cut in view of the expected shortfall, but no cut has yet been officially imposed in the city.

The problem is that the current supply itself falls well short of demand. Discussion has therefore begun in the municipal corporation on whether to go ahead with a cut. Mayor Ajeev Patil told the general body meeting that a full report should be presented within the next eight days.

The city's daily water requirement is 469.63 million litres. Against this, it receives about 400 million litres from various sources, but only 380 to 395 million litres is actually distributed. This leaves a gap of 69.63 million litres every day between demand and availability.

In such a situation, if a further 10 per cent cut is imposed, the water residents receive would shrink further and the shortage could become more acute. This is the fear being voiced. The state government has decided on the 10 per cent cut from October 16, anticipating that El Nino could lead to lower rainfall and affect reservoirs.

Mayor Ajeev Patil said, "The question of water shortage is serious. Given the conditions that will develop ahead, it is necessary to arrange water properly from now. If a water cut has to be made, the decision will be taken only after a thorough study of its extent and consequences. A report has been sought within eight days for this."

At the general body meeting on Wednesday, the administration put forward a proposal on water management. The mayor directed that the leader of the House, the leader of the Opposition, the standing committee chairman and group leaders hold discussions together to study the extent of the cut, its likely consequences and the use of other water sources, and submit a report.

Emphasis will also be laid on measures such as reviving the city's old wells, cleaning ponds and stepwells, and starting sewage treatment projects so that treated water can be used for construction work. The mayor said a water shortage is feared by August 2027, so arrangements should begin now.