15 October,2026 05:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The inspection covered process tanks, inlet and outlet systems, pump houses, sludge treatment units, internal pipelines and other civil works. Pic/ BMC
Work on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) 500 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant at Worli is 63 per cent complete. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar has directed officials to increase the workforce and expedite civil, mechanical and electrical works to ensure the project meets its September 30, 2027, deadline.
Bangar issued the directions during an inspection of the project site, where he reviewed the progress of construction and the installation of various systems and equipment.
The inspection covered process tanks, inlet and outlet systems, pump houses, sludge treatment units, internal pipelines and other civil works. Bangar also reviewed the installation of pumps, aeration blowers, screening systems, mechanical equipment and piping, along with the progress of electrical works.
Around 1,000 workers are currently deployed at the Worli project site daily. However, Bangar said the workforce needs to be increased to complete the project within the stipulated deadline.
He directed officials to focus on work planning, manpower availability and the timely supply of construction materials during the eight months from October to May.
Bangar also instructed officials to undertake the demolition of old structures and construction of new buildings simultaneously wherever technically feasible, instead of carrying out the activities sequentially. Proper coordination and planning of demolition, construction and related works were emphasised to accelerate the project's progress.
One pumping station under the first phase of the project has already been completed. Bangar directed officials to make the facility operational immediately.
He further instructed the project team to prioritise quality, safety and efficiency at the construction site.
The BMC is constructing the Worli sewage treatment plant under the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project to improve wastewater treatment and protect the city's marine environment. The facility is expected to help improve seawater quality and support marine life conservation.
Residents of Fort, Byculla, Pedder Road, Gamdevi, Haji Ali, Prabhadevi, Dadar and Worli are expected to benefit from the project.
The facility will use Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology. It will treat 500 MLD of sewage through secondary treatment, while 250 MLD of the sewage will undergo additional tertiary treatment.
The project also includes sludge treatment to Class A standards and electricity generation using biogas produced during the treatment process.
The BMC has set September 30, 2027, as the deadline for completing the project. Officials are focusing on accelerating construction, increasing manpower, ensuring material availability and improving coordination among the agencies involved.
The existing sewage treatment facility at Worli will continue operating while construction of the new plant is underway.
The current facility carries out primary treatment through screening and degritting before discharging sewage into the deep sea through a marine outfall. This allows the sewage to undergo dilution and dispersion in seawater.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore, Chief Engineer (Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project) Rajendra Parab, along with engineers and consultants, were present during the inspection.
