Maharashtra: CIDCO given two-month deadline to launch water supply automation tenders

The transition from manual to automated water supply has been initiated to address the persistent water scarcity. REPRESENTATION PIC/ISTOCK

The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) will issue tenders within two months for the automation of water supply in the Panvel-Uran region (part of Navi Mumbai).

The transition from manual to automated water supply has been initiated to address the persistent water scarcity and irregular supply faced by residents of Kharghar, Panvel, Taloja, Ulwe, Kamothe, and Kalamboli.

BJP MLA Prashant Thakur raised the issue of water shortages and instances of no supply for up to two consecutive days in the Panvel-Uran area. "People are buying flats worth lakhs and crores, yet water supply remains a major concern for residents," Thakur said while raising a calling attention notice on the issue in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Thakur further pointed out that an international airport is coming up in the region, and the problem will only worsen. "What message are we sending through this situation?" he questioned, urging the government to provide an immediate solution.

He also asked about the status of a report prepared by a private agency that was appointed to resolve the water crisis. "The report was completed a year ago. I have been following up, but there has been no response," Thakur said. Industries Minister Uday Samant responded, "To resolve this issue, CIDCO will be instructed to float tenders within two months to implement automated water supply."

In response, Thakur stated that he has been pursuing this issue for years, but CIDCO officials continue to turn a blind eye. Samant assured him that the matter would be treated as a priority. "If CIDCO fails to float the tender within two months, action will be taken against the concerned officials during the next legislature session (Winter Session in December at Nagpur)," Samant added.