Surya Dam Finally Boosts Water Supply in Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has started supplying water from the Surya dam to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) without inaugration. This move came following an order from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The water supply to Vasai-Virar began at a rate of 8 MLD (megaliters per day). Over the next few days, this volume is expected to increase to 185 MLD.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has responded positively to this development. It is currently trying to draw purchasers for the 2,200 unsold Virar-Bolinji plan homes. Despite the application deadline passing, MHADA has decided to continue the lottery on a first-come, first-served basis.

The MMRDA project was completed in October. It aims to provide 185 MLD of water to VVMC and nearby villages. However, the inauguration is still pending. Rajendra Gavit, a local Shiv Sena MP, brought up the issue with the chief minister.

Following a directive from the chief minister, MMRDA began supplying water from the Surya Dam to VVMC. The water supply started at 78 MLD and increased to 85 MLD.

In a report by HT, a VVMC representative mentioned that the water supply would be erratic until it stabilised. The system is currently under testing, and supply fluctuations are because of technicalities. Both systems will synchronise in a few days, increasing the water supply to 100–110 MLD. The maximum capacity of 185 ML is not projected to be reached for another month or two.

The water supply from the Surya dam has been a boon for MHADA. The authority was having a hard time selling apartments in its Virar-Bolinj scheme. Despite the walk-in purchase option in the Bolinj scheme, more than 1,600 apartments remained unsold during the April-May lottery.

MHADA has now made the decision to continue accepting applications for the Bolinj programme even after the December 4 formal deadline has passed. To tackle the issue of water scarcity at the Bolinj scheme, MMRDA has initiated an additional water supply. This move is expected to boost the prospects of the unsold apartments.