Malabar Hill Residents Question BMC’s Reservoir Data

Residents and activists from Malabar Hill have expressed significant concerns regarding the accuracy of data provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to an expert team from IIT Roorkee, which assessed the Malabar Hill reservoir last month.

The ensuing report from IIT Roorkee recommended the construction of an additional 52-million-litre tank to support repairs to the existing infrastructure. This recommendation has sparked controversy, with local stakeholders questioning the validity of the reported figures. According to the IIT Roorkee assessment, the total usable storage capacity of tanks 1A, 1B, and IC is cited as 35.5 million litres (ML), while tanks 2A and 2B together offer 39 ML, bringing the total capacity to 74.5 ML.

The report’s suggestion to build an additional 52.4 ML tank was based on perceived deficiencies in storage capacity and water flow patterns. However, civic activist Zoru Bhathena has challenged these figures, arguing that the actual holding capacities of Compartments 2A and 2B are 48.23 ML and 31.41 ML, respectively, thus totalling 79.64 ML. Additionally, he claims that Compartments 1A, 1B, and IC have capacities of 35.78 ML, 21.32 ML, and 11.04 ML, respectively, adding up to 68.14 ML. Bhathena contends that the overall holding capacity of the Malabar Hill Reservoir (MHR) is 147.78 ML, though it is typically filled to only 80 ML due to limited water inflow.

In response to these discrepancies, a draft letter has been prepared by the residents’ group, which is currently being circulated for feedback. The letter accuses the BMC of providing erroneous data to IIT Roorkee, thereby leading to a misleading report. Moreover, residents are voicing their opposition to the proposed demolition of the reservoir, citing concerns over potential damage to several trees in the nearby Hanging Garden area.