Mumbai: BMC Prioritises Water Supply Infrastructure In 2025-26 Budget; Allocates Funds For Desalination And Revives Gargai Dam Project

Mumbai: The BMC has prioritised strengthening Mumbai's water supply infrastructure in its 2025-26 civic budget. The long-delayed desalination project has now been allocated funds, and the Gargai Dam project, which was scrapped during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2019, has been revived to improve water resources for the city.

Currently, the BMC supplies 3,950 million litres (ML) of water daily, but the demand has risen to 4,463 ML per day. Compounding the issue is a 34% daily water loss, despite the dams having sufficient stock. To address the gap between demand and supply, the civic body has launched several initiatives.

After scrapping the previous tendering process for the desalination project last year due to a lack of bids, the BMC is now inviting fresh tenders. A provision of Rs.100 crore has been made for the new financial year. The proposed desalination plant will be located on a 12-hectare plot in Manori village, along the western suburban coast.

Initially designed with a capacity of 200 ML per day, the plant can be expanded to 400 ML per day in the future. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,649 crore, is expected to become operational within four years.

The civic body has allocated a substantial Rs 4,000 crore for its Water Supply Project (WSP) department, with Rs 2,270 crore earmarked specifically for the construction of water conveyance tunnels. In addition, Rs 36.51 crore has been set aside for the ambitious Gargai project.

Initially championed by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the project faced significant delays due to environmental concerns, as it would require the felling of 4.5 lakh trees.

However, with most of the preliminary engineering works now completed and most technical clearances obtained, the project is poised to move forward, pending final approvals from the Forest Department and the Wildlife Board. Once these permissions are secured, tenders for the project will be invited, signaling a significant step forward in addressing the city's growing water needs, said BMC in its budget.