The Rs 3,520 crore desalination project could fix city’s growing potable water shortage
Representation Pic
The tendering process for the BMC’s desalination project at the Manori plant was postponed for the fourth time since January 4, raising serious questions about the corporation’s intent to launch the project, amid the growing problems of water scarcity and shortages in supply.
Currently, Mumbai receives 3,850 million litres daily (MLD) from seven lakes. The desalination project at Manori, which can add 200 MLD to the current supply, will help in balancing the demand-supply ratio. Its capacity can be expanded to 400 MLD in the future. It is predicted that it will take three to four years for the project to commence.
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The BMC issued the tender notice to set up the plant, which can convert saline water into potable water, on December 4. The deadline for submitting tenders was January 4, 2024, but the BMC extended it thrice in the past: to January 29, then again to February 17, and now to March 4.
“This is an international-level tender. Sometimes, delays occur due to technicalities,” a civic official said. Municipal Commissioner IS Chahal was unavailable for comment. The civic body has proposed the allocation of Rs 350 crore for the project in 2024-25, whose total estimated cost is Rs 3,520 crore, excluding GST. The maintenance cost, including electricity for 20 years, will be borne by the BMC.
The extension of the tender deadline is a worrying development given the current state of the city’s water table. As of Saturday, the seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai were at 45 per cent capacity. In 2023 and 2022, on the same date, the stock was 50 per cent and 53 per cent respectively. Despite accessing water from the reserve quota, the city continued to face cuts for the past two years.
Rs 350 cr
Budget allocated by BMC to Manori desalination project in 2024-25
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