12 July,2026 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BMC accelerates Ghatkopar STP project to strengthen Mumbai`s sewage network (Pic/Special arrangement)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed officials to expedite work on the Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the adjoining pumping station.
BMC Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar had instructed the project team to deploy additional manpower and complete the work within the stipulated timelines.
During an inspection of the project sites on July 11, Bangar reviewed the progress of the 337-million-litres-per-day (MLD) Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant and the ongoing upgradation of the Ghatkopar Pumping Station.
Following the inspection, he directed the officials to plan the execution with the objective of completing the STP by March 31, 2027, while setting a December 2026 deadline for the pumping station upgrade.
According to the officials, the civic chief instructed engineers to make optimum use of the current lull in monsoon rainfall to accelerate construction activities. Bangar further emphasised systematic execution of the project, deployment of additional manpower, simultaneous completion of multiple project stages, and detailed micro-planning to ensure timely delivery.
Bangar said, "The project could be completed ahead of schedule if the work is carried out in a well-planned and coordinated manner."
During his visit, Bangar reviewed the ongoing civil and electrical works at the Ghatkopar Pumping Station, where repair of the existing structure, replacement of machinery, laying of rising mains, and installation of higher-capacity pumps are underway.
According to the BMC, the pumping station project has achieved 85 per cent physical progress, and officials have been instructed to complete the remaining work by December this year, considering its critical role in the city's sewage treatment network.
Along with Bangar, Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore, Chief Engineer (Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project) Ashok Mengade, and other senior officials were present during the inspection.
The civic body said the new sewage treatment plant is expected to significantly improve the quality of treated wastewater discharged into the sea, benefiting marine biodiversity and enhancing seawater quality around Mumbai's coastline.
As per the officials, the project is also expected to benefit residents of Ghatkopar, Mankhurd, Govandi and Chembur by strengthening the city's sewage treatment infrastructure.
While issuing an official statement, BMC further noted that construction of the new facility is being carried out while ensuring uninterrupted operation of the existing sewage treatment plant. Before the new plant becomes operational, the existing lagoon must be desilted, with the removed sludge treated and scientifically disposed of.
The project is being executed in a challenging environment, as the site is surrounded by a creek, forest land and the eco-sensitive Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.
The Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project Department awarded the contract for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the 337 MLD Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant to GVPR Engineers Ltd. on May 31, 2022, with work commencing on July 5, 2022.
The project includes a four-year design and construction phase followed by a 15-year operation and maintenance period. SFC Environmental Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is the technology provider, while Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd. is serving as the project consultant.
The new facility will use Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to provide advanced sewage treatment. Once operational, it will treat 337 MLD of sewage through secondary treatment, while 170 MLD will undergo tertiary treatment before discharge. At present, the existing Ghatkopar sewage treatment plant only carries out primary treatment, including screening and de-gritting, before releasing treated water into the creek.
