Navi Mumbai: Concerned over increasing water scarcity, NatConnect Foundation has urged the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to conduct a scientific assessment of sediment accumulation at Morbe Dam and examine the feasibility of desilting.

In a representation to NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde, NatConnect director B N Kumar said, “The civic body must establish the dam’s current storage capacity, sediment levels and the possibility of removing accumulated silt.”

According to an RTI response cited by NatConnect, Morbe Dam has not been desilted since it came under NMMC’s control nearly 25 years ago. The organisation also cited the Union government’s National Framework for Sediment Management, which recommends scientific monitoring, including bathymetric surveys.

NMMC data cited in the representation showed that in May 2025, the dam’s designed capacity of 190.890 million cubic metres (MCM) contrasted with actual storage of 82.557 MCM, or 43.24%. After reserving one month’s emergency supply, usable storage stood at 51.957 MCM, or 27.22%. NatConnect has sought updated figures.

“Desilting becomes difficult when a reservoir is full. NMMC should assess whether exposed portions of Morbe’s reservoir bed can be cleared of accumulated silt,” Kumar said, stressing the need for a scientific survey.

Shrikant Patki of Navi Mumbai Nagrik Manch criticised the lack of long-term planning. “Water security requires advance action, not last-minute firefighting,” he said.

Subhajit Mukherjee, founder of Har Ghar Jal Sanchay Abhiyan, advocated protecting natural water catchments. “True security lies in ‘Pani Ki Kheti’, protecting natural sponges right at the source,” he said.

NatConnect also called for expanded rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and greater use of treated sewage water for non-potable purposes, including gardening and vehicle washing, to reduce pressure on drinking water supplies.