MIDC has decided to cancel its planned 36-hour water shutdown due to Diwali celebrations (AI-generated image used for representational purposes)
KALYAN: In a major relief to residents across several parts of Thane district grappling with water shortages, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has cancelled its scheduled 36-hour water shutdown this Thursday in view of Diwali. MIDC’s 36-hour shutdown covers Ulhasnagar, 27 villages in Kalyan, Ambernath and Badlapur, while the KDMC observes a separate 18-hour shutdown on Tuesdays. KDMC water supply department chief Mahesh Davre said water released from Barvi dam takes around seven to eight hours to reach Kalyan. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Thane | Silver Rate in Thane | Bank Holidays in Thane | Public Holidays in Thane | Petrol Price in Thane | Diesel Price in Thane | CNG Price in Thane | LPG Price in Thane Stay updated with the latest Thane news.
“MIDC has assured us that it will release water for the KDMC area in advance so that the river level can be maintained and water can be drawn on time,” he said. Meanwhile, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has sought an advance release of water from Barvi dam to prevent disruptions to its supply following a recent drop in the Ulhas river’s water level. The differing schedules have complicated water management, prompting officials to discuss synchronising shutdowns and coordinating releases from Barvi dam to minimise disruptions to civic water supplies. Download the TOI App.
At a meeting between senior water supply officials of the KDMC and MIDC on Monday, the civic body requested the industrial development corporation to release water in advance so that it reaches Mohili dam in Kalyan before the shutdown period ends.
MIDC has introduced weekly 36-hour shutdowns until August 2027 as a preventive measure amid concerns over water availability following the early and comparatively weak withdrawal of the monsoon and the possible impact of El Niño. The KDMC draws around 378 million litres per day (MLD) from the Ulhas river, treats it and supplies it across Kalyan-Dombivli.
MIDC executive engineer Shrikant Raut told TOI, “Considering Diwali, MIDC has decided to cancel the shutdown scheduled for this Thursday. The shutdown will resume from the following Thursday. The shutdowns affect lakhs of residents in urban areas, including Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur, as well as Taloja in neighbouring Raigad district. During a recent MIDC shutdown, the non-release of water from Barvi dam led to a drop in the river’s water level for two days, affecting the civic body’s intake and raising concerns over supply management.
The cuts are scheduled from midnight on Thursday to noon on Saturday.