With Morbe Dam’s water stock at 73.9%, housing societies are adopting practical measures to reduce wastage and protect the city’s drinking water supply.

The Conservation

With water storage at Morbe Dam falling to 73.9%, housing societies across Navi Mumbai are stepping up conservation efforts to prevent unnecessary wastage and prepare for the coming months.

Several societies have introduced simple measures to reduce their dependence on the municipal water supply. These include using borewell water for non-drinking purposes, preventing tank overflows and encouraging residents to use water responsibly.

In Nerul, Bhimashankar Society has dug three borewells to provide water for activities such as vehicle washing and gardening. The society has 763 flats and 948 vehicles, making water conservation an important priority. In Belapur, Parsik Green Association is discouraging residents from washing cars with municipal drinking water. It is also monitoring storage tanks to prevent overflow and supports using treated wastewater for maintaining gardens.

Similarly, Samata Society in Sanpada has urged residents to be mindful of their daily water consumption, particularly while watering plants and using washing machines. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has also warned against using drinking water for vehicle washing and construction activities. Violators may face penalties and other action, including disconnection of the water supply.

The civic body has appealed to residents to repair leaking taps and pipelines, prevent water tanks from overflowing and avoid unnecessary consumption. As Morbe Dam remains the city’s main source of drinking water, the cooperation of housing societies and residents will be crucial in ensuring that available water is used wisely and the city’s supply remains secure.

The latest arrests from Diva-Mumbra have helped investigators trace alleged drug supply links as police continue to probe the network and its financial transactions.

The Case

Navi Mumbai Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with a drug seizure worth Rs 3.57 crore in Taloja, taking the total number of arrests in the case to three.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell arrested Destiny Akachukwu Ugochukwu, 34, a Nigerian national, and Poonam Basnet, 30, from the Diva-Mumbra area on October 14. Police suspect that the two were linked to the supply network behind the seized drugs.

The investigation began on October 8, when officers arrested Ani Ikechukwu Darlington, 41, in Taloja. Police allegedly recovered 2.497 kg of mephedrone, commonly known as MD, and 566 grams of cocaine from his possession and residence. The seized drugs were valued at Rs 3.57 crore. Further questioning and investigation reportedly helped police trace the alleged supply links to the two newly arrested suspects.

Investigators are also examining financial transactions connected to the case. Police suspect that QR codes linked to a bank account may have been used to collect payments for drug deals. The two accused have been remanded to police custody for further questioning. Police are now working to identify the source of the drugs, their intended recipients and others who may have been involved in the alleged network. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are examining financial records and other evidence to establish the full extent of the suspected drug operation.

The decision aims to help farmers recover pending payments from traders, while a move towards digital transactions seeks to improve transparency in the market.

The Relief

In a major relief for farmers, the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has removed the six-month deadline for filing complaints against traders over unpaid dues and other irregularities. The decision was taken at an executive board meeting on October 15, chaired by Maharashtra Marketing Minister and APMC Chairman Jaykumar Rawal.

Earlier, farmers had to file complaints within six months if traders failed to pay them for their produce or if they faced issues related to weighing. Those who missed the deadline often found it difficult to recover their money. With the new decision, farmers will be able to approach the market committee even after six months, giving them another opportunity to seek justice and recover long-pending payments.

The minister emphasised that recovering farmers’ outstanding dues would remain a priority. Officials will also examine questionable transactions and transfers carried out without the required approvals. In another step towards improving transparency, the APMC has directed officials to begin digitizing market transactions within seven days. Banks, including HDFC and ICICI, are being approached to suggest suitable digital systems.

The proposed digital system is expected to make transactions easier to monitor and help reduce irregularities in the market. The removal of the deadline is expected to benefit farmers who have struggled to recover their payments. However, the effectiveness of the move will ultimately depend on how quickly complaints are addressed and outstanding dues are recovered.