Vasai and Virar municipalities were eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the Surya Water Supply Project, which was scheduled to take place on August 30. This project was expected to bring much-needed relief to the region, providing a significant increase in water supply. However, the plans have hit a roadblock, and now, the project’s inauguration is uncertain.
The Surya Water Supply Project, led by MMRDA, aimed to provide an additional 182 MLD (Million Liters per Day) of water to Vasai-Virar and 218 MLD to Mira-Bhayandar municipalities. This boost in water supply was expected to alleviate the water scarcity issues faced by both municipalities for years to come.
Currently, Vasai-Virar Municipality is grappling with a water deficit of 142 MLD, while Mira-Bhayandar faces its own water supply challenges. The Surya Water Supply Project was intended to bridge this gap and secure the region’s water needs for the foreseeable future.
The first phase of the Surya Water Supply Project was expected to provide Vasai-Virar with an additional 70 to 80 MLD of water, with the work supposed to be completed by the end of June. The MMRDA has reported that all necessary surveys and preparations are finished in Vasai-Virar as well. However, there has been a four-month delay in the actual water supply project work. The initial inauguration was scheduled to be done by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. But, following that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to inaugurate the project on October 13 during his Mumbai visit.
However, the Prime Minister’s visit was canceled, and the inauguration was to be rescheduled for October 30. This was planned to coincide with the inauguration of the new Navi Mumbai Metro. During this event, both Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar Municipalities’ water supply projects were set to be launched. The delay has raised doubts about the future of the project.
Official sources suggest that the project’s inauguration may still be postponed until the second week of November. This uncertainty has created concern among the local population, who have been suffering from water scarcity and have been looking forward to the project for relief.
For the last two months, Vasai-Virar residents have been witnessing various political parties protesting and demanding adequate water supply. Recently, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) announced a protest march on Friday, with Sharmila Thackeray, a prominent figure in the movement.
The cancellation of the Prime Minister’s visit also added to the doubts surrounding the project. It’s essential to keep an eye on the situation as it develops because the delay in the inauguration of the water supply project could have significant consequences for the residents who have been waiting for a solution to their water supply woes.
