As Navi Mumbai undergoes rapid expansion with landmark projects like the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), NAINA, and mass housing schemes, water demand across the region is reaching unprecedented levels. Rising to the challenge, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has rolled out a comprehensive water infrastructure strategy designed to future-proof the city’s needs up to 2050, with projected demand touching 1275 MLD.
“As Navi Mumbai continues to grow and develop, our commitment to sustainable water management remains unwavering. With a robust water supply network, we’re building resilience for tomorrow, not just today,” said Vijay Singhal, vice chairman and managing director, CIDCO.
CIDCO’s plan includes a mix of upgrades to existing water sources such as Hetawane Dam, MJP schemes, NMMC, and MIDC, as well as development of new sources like the Balganga and Kondhane Dams. The Kondhane Dam, strategically located on the Ulhas River, is poised to initially supply 250 MLD, expandable to 350 MLD a gamechanger for the NAINA and Panvel areas.
To bridge short-term gaps, CIDCO has secured an additional 120 MLD quota from Hetawane Dam, sanctioned by the Government of Maharashtra in 2020 at Rs. 119.80 crore. The augmentation project, being developed in four phases, is slated for completion by June 2029. So far, the water treatment plant is 41% complete, pure water tunnels are 25.7% done, and the raw water tunnel stands at 8.5%.
In a national first, CIDCO’s tunneling project has achieved remarkable milestones using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Flamingo, in partnership with Afcons Infrastructure Ltd:
- Highest single-day progress in India: 53 meters (March 2025)
- Highest monthly progress in India: 714 meters (May 2025)
These records surpass the previous benchmark of 679 meters, setting a new national standard in water tunneling infrastructure.
With renowned project management consultants onboard to ensure international standards in design and quality, CIDCO’s water projects are not only timely but technically robust. These efforts are projected to revolutionize water supply in CIDCO-administered areas, including the Panvel Municipal Corporation, while enhancing the livability and resilience of the entire Navi Mumbai region.
As these mega-infrastructure efforts continue, CIDCO is not just building pipelines and tunnels it’s building the foundation for a future-ready Navi Mumbai.
