Overview
- The state issued a Government Resolution on Monday forming a study group chaired by retired water resources secretary Dr Sanjay Belsare with a three-month deadline to deliver an integrated Water Security Plan 2051.
- The group includes the Chief Engineer (Konkan) as member secretary and representatives from BMC, MMRDA, municipal commissioners of Thane, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan-Dombivli, MIDC, MJP and MRSAC to align city, regional and industrial roles.
- The panel must produce detailed demand projections for 2031, 2041 and 2051 across domestic, industrial, commercial, institutional and construction sectors and audit completed, ongoing and proposed supply projects.
- The study will evaluate alternative supplies and efficiency measures such as treated wastewater reuse, large-scale rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, revival of local water bodies, curbing Non-Revenue Water and modernising metering while assessing climate risks including changing monsoon patterns and coastal aquifer vulnerability.
- The plan aims to guide where the region spends money and who implements projects, which could affect municipal service reliability, industrial water access and infrastructure timelines as Mumbai’s rapid growth and recent rainfall shortfalls raise near-term supply concerns.