Varala Lake Overflow Sparks Anger in Kamatghar as Bhiwandi Relies on Water Tankers
Relentless monsoon rain over three days has caused Varala Lake in the Kamatghar area of Bhiwandi to overflow, spilling millions of litres of freshwater. The overflow has triggered sharp criticism from local residents against the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation (BMC) for poor water resource management, especially as the city currently suffers from water scarcity and relies heavily on water tankers.
The Varala Lake, which spreads across several hundred acres, is the civic body's only reservoir. It previously supplied around 5 million litres per day (MLD) of treated drinking water to the city. However, the drinking water supply was suspended earlier this year, forcing the municipal corporation to rely on tanker water supply to meet the city's needs.
Local residents expressed frustration at the sight of freshwater flowing away. They questioned why the excess rainwater could not be conserved, arguing that proper long-term planning, such as deepening the lake and scientifically managing the overflow channel before the monsoon, could have preserved a substantial quantity of freshwater for future use.
In response to the criticism, BMC officials clarified that the overflow is a natural consequence of the reservoir reaching its full capacity. Sandeep Patanwar, Executive Engineer of the BMC Water Supply Department, explained that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the civic body to stop drawing drinking water from the lake on March 27 after pollution was detected in the reservoir.
Patanwar stated that the civic administration has since identified two sources of contaminated inflow and permanently diverted them into the underground drainage network to prevent further pollution.
According to Patanwar, the latest water quality test report is expected shortly. Once the report confirms compliance with safety standards and the necessary approvals are received, the civic body expects to resume the treated water supply from Varala Lake to the city.
