Maharashtra: Phased 24 hour water shutdown in Thane spanning 12 days starting Jan 27

Thane: Several parts of Thane will face phased 24-hour water shutdowns over 12 days starting Jan 27, after water supply to the city dropped by around 20% due to repair work at the Bhatsa river barrage, civic officials said on Thursday. Each zone will face a complete shutdown from 9 am to 9 am the following day.The water cut was necessitated as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) undertook repairs to the pneumatic gate system installed at the Bhatsa river barrage at Pise, which supplies water to both Mumbai and Thane. The repairs, aimed at increasing water storage levels, require lowering the river's water level between Jan 27 and Feb 7, resulting in reduced inflow to the Pise pumping station.Officials of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) said that, due to the reduced water level at the pumping station, supply to the city will continue at low pressure during the period. To manage the shortfall, the civic body planned the shutdowns on a rotational basis across the city. As per the schedule, major residential and commercial pockets in Wagle Estate, Vartaknagar, Kalwa, Mumbra, Kopri, Rabodi, Balkum, Manpada, Kasarvadavli, Ghodbunder Road, Majivada, Lokmanya Nagar, Shastrinagar, and adjoining areas will be affected on different days. Each zone will face a complete shutdown from 9 am to 9 am the following day on its designated date. Civic officials clarified that the shutdown schedule will be repeated in 2 cycles to ensure equitable distribution of the reduced water supply. Areas affected earlier in the cycle will again face cuts in the later phase of the 12-day period. The civic body appealed to residents to store adequate water in advance, avoid wastage, and cooperate with the administration until the repair work is completed and supply normalises. Emergency services such as hospitals were advised to make alternative arrangements.