As Mumbai and Navi Mumbai grapple with the pressing challenge of ensuring reliable daily water supply, they are turning to distant dam constructions over 100 km away to meet their needs. However, such projects require substantial investment and come with significant environmental implications. While the Konkan region, which includes the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), has so far avoided a severe water crisis, the increasing demand for sustainable water management practices has become critical. Recent droughts in 2009, 2014, and 2015 highlighted the vulnerability of the area, underscoring the need for innovative solutions beyond traditional dams.

“When interior parts of the state faced severe drought, water was sourced from other dams, and tube wells were temporarily allowed. Even with low rainfall, Konkan’s dams always had enough potable water. Policies are based on past experiences and predictions, and I haven’t seen any proposals addressing drought conditions in MMR,” said Milind Kelkar, a former joint commissioner of Maharashtra’s Jeevan Pradhikaran, now part of a water expert committee working on a new dam for Navi Mumbai. He added that desalination could be a future solution as costs have dropped due to technological advances.