BMC to Relaunch Desalination Plant Project Amid Mumbai’s Growing Water Crisis

BMC to Relaunch Desalination Plant Project Amid Mumbai’s Growing Water Crisis

Mumbai’s looming water crisis has prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to revive its stalled desalination plant project. After scrapping the previous tender in September 2024 due to poor bidder response, the civic body is set to issue a fresh tender this month. The plant, planned on a 12-hectare plot in Manori village along the city’s western coastline, is part of Mumbai’s long-term strategy to meet its rising water demands as traditional sources reach their limits.

The project had faced significant hurdles in attracting bidders, with the tender process extended multiple times since December 2023. Despite these efforts, only one bid was received by the final deadline on August 29, 2024. This led to the tender’s cancellation, shifting the focus temporarily to the Rs 5,000-crore Gargai Dam project in Palghar district. However, with the dam facing years of environmental approvals and construction delays, the BMC has been forced to reconsider desalination as an urgent alternative. Mumbai’s water demand is projected to skyrocket from the current 3,800 million litres per day (MLD) to over 6,426 MLD by 2041, driven by an expected population surge to nearly two crore. A senior civic official highlighted the urgency, stating, “The Gargai Dam will take several years to complete. To address Mumbai’s immediate needs, we’ll revise the tender terms to attract more competitive bids and reissue the tender shortly.”

The proposed desalination plant will have an initial capacity of 200 MLD, with the potential to double to 400 MLD in the future. Estimated to cost Rs 3,520 crore, the plant is expected to be operational within four years after work begins. This facility aims to diversify Mumbai’s water sources, reducing dependency on distant dams that are vulnerable to climate variability and environmental restrictions. Meanwhile, the Gargai Dam project remains mired in bureaucratic processes. Located 110 km from Mumbai, it promises to supply 440 MLD once completed. To compensate for the environmental impact of acquiring 659 hectares of forest land, the BMC has arranged for afforestation across 488 hectares in Chandrapur and secured an additional 400 hectares near Wada in Palghar. However, until the dam clears environmental hurdles, Mumbai’s water security remains in a precarious state.

The desalination project has also faced political scrutiny. The Congress party previously raised allegations of cartelisation in the tendering process, claiming that the bid terms were skewed to favour specific contractors. They demanded transparency and called for the tender’s cancellation if irregularities were found. The BMC’s decision to scrap the tender and revise its conditions may be a response to both political pressure and the practical need for a fair, competitive bidding process. As climate change accelerates and urban populations swell, Mumbai’s water management strategies are under intense scrutiny. The reinitiated desalination project signals a shift towards more resilient, diversified water sourcing. However, its success will depend on efficient execution, transparent governance, and the ability to navigate both environmental and political challenges. For Mumbaikars, the hope is that these projects won’t just remain plans on paper but will translate into tangible solutions to the city’s growing water woes.