Uran, March 27: The water level in Ransai Dam, which supplies drinking water to 26 village panchayats with a population of nearly 1.75 lakh, has drastically declined. With enough water to last only until June 30, residents of Uran taluka are now bracing for severe shortages and mandatory water cuts twice a week.
Since February-March, several villages, including Karanja and Kegaon, have been struggling with acute water scarcity. In Karanja, residents must wait 12-15 days for water, while nearly 17,000 people in Kegaon Gram Panchayat and tribal hamlets in Chirner and Ransai are also affected. With local wells, ponds, and borewells running dry, villagers—especially women—are forced to fetch water from distant sources. Areas that once received water every two to three days are now waiting up to 10 days for a supply.
Water Shortages Force Residents to Spend on Bottled Water
To manage the crisis, authorities have implemented water cuts every Tuesday and Friday. However, many residents are now forced to spend ₹100-₹150 daily on bottled water, adding a financial burden, particularly on the poor.
“In Karanja and Kegaon, water supply is unavailable for up to 15 days. Other villages in the taluka are also struggling,” said Dnyaneshwar Sonawane, Deputy Engineer of Uran MIDC.
Wedding Season Impacted as Water Shortage Adds to Costs
The ongoing wedding season has intensified the crisis, with families being forced to purchase expensive mineral water for ceremonies. This unexpected expense has disrupted their budgets, adding to the financial strain amid the worsening water scarcity.
Authorities are urging citizens to use water judiciously and adopt conservation measures to tackle the growing crisis.
