Special teams to monitor water use at construction sites and swimming pools, civic body to review dam storage on November 30.

The Measures

With the water level in Morbe Dam gradually declining, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has stepped up preparations to conserve water and prevent unnecessary consumption across the city.

Although the planned water cuts were withdrawn from Gokul Ashtami following requests from the ruling BJP, the civic administration has now increased monitoring as rainfall remained weak in August and September. The Morbe Dam, which supplies water to Navi Mumbai, is currently at around 91% storage, with 75% usable water, compared with 100% storage and 84% usable water during the same period last year.

Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has directed officials to ensure that drinking water is not used for construction activities. Special teams have been formed to monitor water consumption at construction sites and swimming pools.

Construction workers and others at project sites will continue to receive water for drinking purposes. However, if the water is found to be diverted for construction or other uses, the concerned connection may be disconnected immediately.

Swimming pools have also been instructed to maximise the reuse of water as part of the conservation measures.

The civic administration is scheduled to review the water storage in Morbe Dam on November 30. Based on the situation, a new water-supply schedule may be introduced from December 1. Officials have also indicated that an earlier review could be conducted if adequate rainfall does not occur in the coming weeks.

NMMC expands immersion facilities to manage crowds and offer devotees convenient options closer to home.

The Ponds

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has expanded arrangements for the immersion of Gauri and Ganpati idols this year, setting up 170 artificial immersion ponds across the city.

The move aims to prevent overcrowding at a few immersion points and provide devotees with facilities closer to their homes, in line with directions issued by the High Court. The artificial ponds have been established across Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Turbhe, Koparkhairane, Ghansoli, Airoli and Digha.

Along with the 170 artificial ponds, the civic body has made arrangements at 22 natural immersion sites, taking the total number of immersion locations to 192. Volunteers, lifeguards, CCTV cameras and fire brigade personnel will be deployed at key locations to ensure safety and smooth movement of devotees. Medical teams will also be available through nearby civic health centres.

The NMMC has also made separate arrangements for the collection of wet and dry nirmalya (floral offerings), urging devotees not to dispose of these materials in natural water bodies. Dedicated vehicles will transport the collected material to the processing facility at Turbhe. Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and a special civic team reviewed the arrangements recently. The NMMC is also considering whether the number of artificial immersion ponds can be increased further based on local requirements.

CIDCO and Navi Mumbai Police take action against six dumper drivers in Vashi, Rabale, Kharghar and Karanjade.

The Action

CIDCO and the Navi Mumbai Police have intensified action against the illegal transportation and dumping of construction debris in Navi Mumbai during the Ganeshotsav period. Authorities have been conducting joint operations, particularly at night and during the early morning hours, when illegal dumping is often carried out.

On Tuesday midnight, a dumper carrying debris from Mumbai was stopped at the Vashi toll naka. The driver was taken into custody and a case was registered at Vashi Police Station. Early Wednesday morning, action was also taken against a 23-year-old driver in Rabale following a complaint by a CIDCO assistant executive engineer.

Later, around 3:45 am, three dumpers were found parked suspiciously in Kharghar Sector 39. During inspection, CIDCO officials found construction debris inside the vehicles. The drivers did not have the required documents permitting transportation or dumping of the debris. The vehicles were reportedly preparing to unload the material near Papadicha Pada in Taloja.

Cases were registered at Kharghar Police Station against the three drivers.

In another action, Panvel Police intercepted a truck carrying illegal debris at Sector 2A in Karanjade. The driver was taken into custody. Officials said monitoring and enforcement would continue alongside Ganeshotsav security arrangements to prevent illegal transportation and dumping of construction debris in Navi Mumbai.