Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar Takes Immediate Action on Water Crisis

Thane Mayor Sharmila Rohit Pimpalolkar convened her first official review meeting after assuming office, placing the city’s water shortage issue at the forefront of her agenda. Amid ongoing water scarcity in several parts of the Thane Municipal Corporation limits, the Mayor held a detailed meeting with the Water Supply Department to assess the situation and initiate corrective measures.

The meeting, held at the Mayor’s chamber, was attended by City Engineer Prashant Songra, Deputy City Engineer Vikas Dhole, and other senior officials. A comprehensive review of the water crisis was undertaken, with special focus on areas facing severe shortages. The Mayor directed officials to conduct on-site inspections in the worst-affected localities and implement immediate remedial measures. She also sought detailed information regarding the number of water tankers deployed daily, expenditure incurred, and measures to ensure transparency in tanker operations.

The issue of additional water supply from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was discussed at length. Although a request for 50 MLD of additional water had been submitted, only 5 MLD has been allocated so far. The Mayor instructed officials to urgently prepare a proposal outlining administrative steps required to secure the remaining water supply. Officials informed that a meeting with BMC authorities has been scheduled on February 16 to pursue the matter further.

Special emphasis was placed on ensuring regular and adequate water supply to tribal hamlets within municipal limits. Officials were asked to submit a separate report and, if necessary, deploy additional tankers or explore alternative sources. The Mayor also raised concerns over complaints from older housing societies facing water shortages while new construction projects continue to receive supply. In response, officials stated that additional supply arrangements for the Ghodbunder area are underway to ease the crisis.

In areas such as Kalwa, Mumbra, and Diva, where water sourced from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation is distributed by the municipal corporation, residents have reportedly been receiving water only once in eight to ten days. The Mayor directed that the issue be urgently taken up with the concerned authorities and that pending infrastructure works, including pump houses and water tanks, be expedited to stabilise supply.

She further instructed officials to drill new borewells where required and repair old ones immediately. With the summer months of April and May approaching, the Mayor called for a concrete action plan focusing on water storage management, leakage control, repair works, tanker scheduling, and use of alternative sources. Strict action against illegal tanker operators was also directed to ensure fair and regulated distribution.

The meeting underscored the administration’s commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns and preventing a severe water crisis in the coming months.

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