Mumbai’s ongoing water crisis is beginning to affect the city’s real estate sector. Water plays a crucial role in various stages of construction, including concreting, curing, plastering, and finishing work. Without a steady supply, project schedules could be affected. These constraints are occurring at a time when there is a high demand for both residential and commercial real estate in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Many big projects are being developed and hence smooth construction is very crucial.
To solve this problem, many of the developers have resorted to using treated water, harvested water, or water from private tankers. But as per the experts, such options may not be viable or easily available especially for the affordable and mid-income housing projects. According to the industry leaders, the current water crisis in the city should act as an eye-opener and prompt faster investments in the development of treated-water infrastructure.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has suspended the water supply to the construction sites as well as announced a 20% cut in water supply to commercial and industrial activities in the wake of critically low water levels in its reservoirs. As per the civic authorities, the water levels in the seven lakes in Mumbai have fallen to just 10.35%.
In order to ensure that there is enough drinking water available for all its citizens, BMC has adopted this measure. Though the developers understand the decision taken by the civic authorities but at the same time, they are worried about the impact of this decision on the projects underway.
Nonetheless, the real estate sector is dedicated to cooperating with the civic authorities in managing the situation. The developers are demanding access to treated and recycled water along with promotion of sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
According to the experts, a right balance between water conservation and infrastructural development will be critical to sustainably meet the housing needs of millions of residents in the coming years.
