 | | Bandra-Worli Sea Link is scheduled to be completed in 2008 | Mumbai could have soon had its fourth sewage treatment plant at Bandra for treating the 1,700 million litres of untreated waste that is pumped into the sea every day, if not for the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) and Worli-Nariman Sea Link (WNSL). The land, which was earmarked for the plant, is being used as the casting yard for BWSL for three years. Now, MSRDC wants to use it for WNSL as well. If they have their way, our sea will continue to be pumped with untreated sewage for at least five more years.
The BMC was supposed to set up the sewage treatment plant by the end of 2008 or early 2009, after the completion of BWSL.
Not giving up
BMC had identified the six-acre plot in 1984, but as the site was lying unused, they leased it to MSRDC about three years ago. MSRDC has been using it to assemble the basic structure of the sea link — piers, pillars and cables. But now, they insist on extending the lease by five years, saying that is the only available plot for a casting yard for WNSL.
When the MSRDC insisted they would not give up the casting yard till the completion of WNSL, the BMC decided to charge them a Rs 170-crore for use of the land. MSRDC then approached the state government, requesting a subsidy. Anil Deshmukh, public works minister (public undertaking) and MSRDC chairman, said the matter has been sorted for now. “We have agreed to pay Rs 100 crore to the BMC and will continue work on this casting yard for WNSL too,” he said.
However, D Kanavia, chief engineer, sewerage projects, BMC, seemed unaware of the settlement. He said, “We will reclaim this land once BWSL is completed and then build the sewerage treatment plant.”
Did you know?
BMC has sewage treatment plants at Versova, Worli and Bhandup
Status of BWSL
The MSRDC expects the BWSL to be complete by April 2008. This seems impractical, as only 44 per cent of the job has been accomplished. The delays have increased project cost from Rs 1,306 crore to Rs 1,650 crore. | 
