he BMC is shifting its focus to upgrading the Colaba Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Mumbai after its previous attempt to build a desalination plant failed to attract bidders. Currently, the treated water from this STP is used for non-potable purposes such as gardening, road cleaning, and vehicle washing.
However, BMC plans to enhance the plant’s capacity to 15 million liters per day (MLD) and convert it into an advanced tertiary plant. This upgrade will enable the plant to treat sewage water, making it safe for drinking.
Every year, the city’s reliance on its seven lakes for drinking water causes concern during the monsoon. To improve the water supply, the BMC revived its plan for a desalination plant with a capacity of 200 MLD, which could later be expanded to 400 MLD, to be located in Manori, Malad.
However, after failing to attract bidders despite extending the deadline multiple times over the past year, the BMC has scrapped the tender process and rolled back the proposal. Instead of inviting a fresh tender, the civic body has now shifted its focus to upgrading its sewage treatment plants (STPs).