As dirty water flow is rerouted, civic body gears up to turn the lake into a lit, visitor-ready space
File pic/Nimesh Dave
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s plan to make Powai lake sewage-free is nearing completion, and the civic body is now preparing the area for visitors with a new Rs 1.1 crore upgrade. The next phase will focus on improving the lake precinct with basic public amenities, including benches, better lighting and a public address system.
What is being planned
>> Public address system
>> Illumination across key spots around the lake
>> Benches at designated safe locations
Sewage diversion plan
Earlier this year, the BMC began work to stop sewage from entering the lake by laying pipelines to divert waste to the Bhandup wastewater treatment facility.
In a meeting with the residents of the area on March 16, officials said the entire diversion work will be completed by May 2026. In the long term, the civic body also plans to build a dedicated sewage treatment plant in Powai.
Timeline
Target for completion May 2026
What residents say
Pamela Cheena, chairperson of the Powai Advanced Locality Management (ALM), said residents were briefed on the progress earlier this month. “We met BMC officials on March 16 and were shown the pipeline work to divert sewage to Bhandup. We have been assured that all work will be completed by May 2026,” she said.
Why this matters
Powai lake, spread over 223 hectares, is classified as a major wetland by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. However, nearly 18 million litres of untreated wastewater was flowing into the lake daily, lowering oxygen levels and threatening its biodiversity. The lake is also home to several species, including crocodiles.
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