Palghar Water Crisis: Severe Shortage Hits Tribal Areas, Citizens Demand Increased Tanker Supplies

Palghar, Maharashtra: A severe water crisis is gripping Palghar district, particularly its remote tribal areas, as rapidly declining groundwater levels leave residents and livestock struggling for survival. Citizens are pleading for increased water tanker supplies as the current provisions fall drastically short of meeting their needs.

The Gram Panchayat has urged the district administration to increase the supply of water tankers on a daily basis. Currently, only 9 tankers are supplying water to the district, making 154 rounds each week. However, this has proven insufficient to meet the growing demands of both the citizens and their cattle.

The situation is particularly dire in Mokhada, Jawhar, and Wada talukas, where depleted groundwater sources have left rural communities desperate. Tanker services are currently reaching 16 villages and 19 smaller settlements, providing relief to 27,393 individuals and cattle, including 6,593 residents and 20,800 livestock.

The ambitious Har Ghar Jal scheme, launched three years ago with a ₹1,000 crore budget, aimed to provide piped drinking water to rural and isolated areas. However, the project remains incomplete, forcing authorities to rely on emergency tanker services once again. This recurring problem, which intensifies annually starting in January, is worsening with each drop in groundwater levels.

Residents fear that without the timely completion of the Har Ghar Jal scheme, the district will face even more severe water shortages, and the government will continue to expend substantial funds on tanker services despite the initial investment.

The Rural Water Supply Department of the Palghar Zilla Parishad has expanded its tanker operations, now serving 16 villages and 19 settlements. In Mokhada taluka, 13 villages and 11 settlements are receiving water, benefiting 10,658 people and 6,214 cattle. Wada taluka is providing water to one village and six settlements, supporting 15,436 people and 14,320 cattle, while Jawhar taluka is serving 1,299 people and 266 cattle.

In Mokhada taluka, severe water shortages are being reported in villages such as Chas, Kiniste, Nashera, Ase, Vashal, Sayade, Pathardi, Gomghar, Kevanale, Hatticha Pada, Gavarchari Pada, Thakurpada, and others, which are receiving water from 6 tankers.

Similarly, in the six villages of Ogda, including Thokre Pada, Jambhulpada, Sagamal, Ghodsakhare, Dive Pada, and Phanas Pada, both residents and livestock are receiving water through tankers due to the severe shortage. Jawhar taluka is also facing a dire situation in villages like Raitale and Juni Vihir, where water is being supplied daily through two tankers to quench the thirst of both the citizens and cattle.

To address these shortages, Mokhada taluka receives water from 6 tankers making 15 rounds daily, totaling 105 rounds per week. Wada taluka receives water from 1 tanker making 4 rounds daily, which adds up to 28 rounds per week.

Jawhar taluka is covered by 2 tankers, each making 3 rounds daily, which adds up to 21 rounds per week. In total, 9 tankers are supplying water to 27,393 living beings—6,593 citizens and 20,800 livestock—by making 22 rounds daily, resulting in 154 rounds per week across the district.

The current tanker operations include:

Mokhada: 6 tankers, 15 daily rounds (105 weekly)

Wada: 1 tanker, 4 daily rounds (28 weekly)

Jawhar: 2 tankers, 3 daily rounds (21 weekly)