Mumbai has imposed stringent water conservation measures, including suspending water supply to construction sites, as delayed monsoon rains and critically low reservoir levels raise concerns over water availability in the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stopped supplying water to construction projects, marking the first such restriction on the sector in over a decade. The civic body has also reduced water supply to commercial establishments, industries, sports clubs and other non-essential users by 20%, in addition to the 10% cut imposed on residential consumers since mid-May. Water supply to swimming pools has also been discontinued.
The move comes as Mumbai faces one of its weakest June rainfall performances in nearly 20 years. Reservoir levels supplying the city have dropped significantly, with available water stocks estimated to last for around 40 days if rainfall remains below normal.
While construction activity is not expected to stop immediately, industry experts warn that the restrictions could create operational challenges. According to property consultancy Anarock Group, builders generally depend on groundwater and alternative sources for construction-related activities such as concrete mixing and curing. However, the lack of municipal water could affect drinking water and sanitation facilities for workers at project sites, potentially impacting productivity.
The consultancy also noted that the suspension of new water connections may delay approvals for upcoming projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, a market that accounts for nearly one-third of housing sales across India’s seven largest cities.
Boman Irani, founder, chairman & managing director at Rustomjee Group, said the industry can manage the situation through better planning, recycled water usage and alternative sourcing methods. He added that the current crisis underlines the need for long-term sustainability measures.
To strengthen future water security, the BMC is exploring a desalination project worth nearly ₹11,200 crore and is also developing a new reservoir expected to add 440 million litres of water supply by 2030. At the same time, large commercial consumers have been directed to gradually shift towards treated and recycled wastewater.
Experts note that climate change is increasingly causing prolonged dry spells followed by intense rainfall events, creating a recurring cycle in which Mumbai faces water shortages before the monsoon and flooding during peak monsoon months.
Source: Business Standard
