The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is all set to carry out a major water infrastructure upgrade, leading to an 18-hour complete water cut across several key nodes in the city starting Friday morning.

The shutdown begins at 10 am on July 18, and will continue till 4 am on July 19. This will affect water supply in Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Turbhe, Sanpada, Koparkhairane, Ghansoli, Airoli, Kharghar, and Kamothe leaving lakhs of residents high and dry for almost a day.

The water cut has been planned to facilitate the connection of a newly laid 1700 mm diameter pipeline near Nerul Sector-46, Akshar Building, to the main Morbe water supply line. The new line, laid along Palm Beach Road, is expected to strengthen and stabilise the water supply network across Navi Mumbai in the coming years.