Thousands of households across Thane district and neighbouring Raigad are facing a 36-hour water supply disruption affecting Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur and Taloja. The shutdown, announced by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), is expected to continue until Saturday afternoon.
The interruption follows the suspension of water supply from MIDC’s Jambhul Water Purification Centre. Civic officials have described the measure as precautionary amid concerns over water availability following an early and relatively weak monsoon withdrawal, alongside the possible impact of El Niño conditions.
Multiple Residential Areas Affected
In Thane, the disruption will affect areas dependent on MIDC water, including Diva, Kalwa, parts of Mumbra, Majiwada-Manpada and Wagle wards. The entire Taloja node, along with Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Badlapur, will also experience the shutdown.
Thane Municipal Corporation may attempt to reduce the impact by redirecting supplies from STEM, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and its own distribution network.
However, residents in several housing complexes are already dealing with inconsistent municipal supplies and have increasingly turned to private water tankers, adding to household expenses.
“We are spending lakhs to source tanker water in addition to paying water taxes, EMIs and monthly maintenance,” said a resident of a housing complex in Ghodbunder.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Water Security
The growing dependence on tanker deliveries has also increased demand for packaged drinking water. With the state potentially heading towards a challenging water year, residents fear that supply interruptions could become more frequent and prolonged.
Thane BJP corporator Sanjay Waghule has called for swimming pools and car-wash facilities to stop receiving water until the situation improves, arguing that available supplies should be prioritised for essential domestic needs.
In Taloja, residents have questioned the expansion of large housing projects without reliable water infrastructure to support the growing population.
Longer Shutdown Raises Alarm
In Thane’s extended suburbs, the weekly water interruption has reportedly increased from 24 hours to 36 hours. This has raised concerns that disruptions could eventually extend across three days, placing additional pressure on households and increasing reliance on tanker operators.
The latest shutdown highlights the challenges of meeting rising urban demand while maintaining dependable water distribution across rapidly expanding residential areas.
Source: Times of India
