As Ulwe inches closer to becoming a high-density residential and infrastructure hub — thanks to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and mass PMAY housing allotments — basic services like drinking water remain in disarray, leaving residents angry, helpless, and at growing risk. For Sunita Bhatt, a resident of Krishna Heights in Sector 17, the latest episode was the tipping point.
“We’ve been facing frequent and poorly timed water cuts due to CIDCO’s pipeline problems — and they always seem to happen during festivals or holidays,” said Bhatt. “This time, the so-called 48-hour cut from July 9 to 12 started a day early on July 8 and continued till the 14th. And when the supply returned, it was muddy, discoloured, and barely a trickle — completely unfit for consumption.”
Sunita Bhatt, a resident of Krishna Heights in Sector 17
“We had to hire submersible pumps and buy extra pipes to transfer water from the regular tank. Later, there were shortages of tankers,” added Bhatt. Her residential society, like many others in Ulwe, was forced to depend entirely on private water tankers for days. The timing of this crisis during the monsoon season, when water should be abundant, has baffled and enraged residents.
Local grocery shops reported shortages of bottled water, while elderly residents struggled to manage without any formal support from CIDCO. “Not a single potable water tanker was sent to our society. CIDCO knew about the disruption. What were the backup plans?” she asked. Ulwe has seen a population boom in the past five years, with more than 50,000 new families settling in, driven by affordable housing schemes and real estate pitches built around the “airport-adjacent smart city” promise. Yet, the infrastructure, especially the water supply, is failing to keep pace.
mid-day spoke to the residents across Sectors 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, and 23, many of whom reported the same sequence of events, like no advance notice of the water cuts, disruption lasting longer than announced, no emergency tanker service provided by CIDCO, and return of supply with low pressure and muddy, yellowish water.
“Why isn’t CIDCO prepared?” questioned Om Thakur, a resident of Sector 17. “They know it’s monsoon. They know there’s growing demand. Where’s the emergency protocol? Why aren’t societies being assisted with rainwater harvesting setups?” Health professionals in the area have also raised alarm over rising skin infections and stomach issues, possibly linked to the compromised water quality.
An MBBS doctor from Sector 17, on the condition of anonymity, said, “I have seen a surge in complaints of rashes and hair thinning from people using tanker water.” Yet, despite repeated complaints, CIDCO’s response has been minimal and vague. A senior CIDCO official, when contacted, said, “The pipeline repairs required longer downtime due to valve and mainline complications. We regret the inconvenience and are planning a restructuring of the sector-wise supply network.” However, the official did not address the lack of emergency water supply or whether any quality checks are done on private tankers. Residents believe the issue runs deeper than just technical glitches.
“There’s a systemic gap,” said environmental activist Sagar Pawar. “We are building thousands of homes but not investing in basic water planning, storage, purification, or public notification systems. We’re creating vertical slums without sustainability.” With rainfall at its peak, many residents are now asking why CIDCO hasn’t offered incentives or infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, even as they face water shortages. “This isn’t a one-time inconvenience; it’s a growing civic disaster,” Bhatt said. “CIDCO must be answerable. Where is the plan to manage Ulwe’s present and future water needs? We have had enough apologies and temporary fixes.”
Advocate Varun Vij, a high court lawyer and a resident of Sector 17, said, “The appalling water crisis in Ulwe is a stark reflection of systematic failure and administrative ineptitude. Citizens, including the elderly and children, are left to endure inhumane conditions without prior intimation. Forced to rely on unregulated, hazardous sources for survival. This is not a lapse but a gross abdication of responsibility. Immediate, transparent, and lasting remedial measures are imperative. The right to water is fundamental. Its denial is a grave breach of public trust.”
