Mumbai to get two more wastewater treatment plants

BMC headquarters. (File photo)

The BMC is finally going to appoint a consultant for two more wastewater treatment facilities. The project of eight treatment plants has been on paper for the last 15 years. While BMC appointed consultants for four plants, work on the Malad treatment plan is in the process. The civic body will pay Rs 51 crore to the consultant of the Versova and Ghatkopar treatment plants.

As per the proposal sent by the BMC administration in the Standing Committee meeting, the civic body had invited tenders for the services of a project management consultant.

BMC has received a response from three companies. As per policy, the BMC administration picked the lowest bidder, Tata Consulting Engineers Limited (TCEL), for the job. BMC will pay R21 crore for the Versova treatment plant and R30 crore for the Ghatkopar treatment plant. TCEL is already a consultant for the Dharavi and Bhandup plants.

Though one consultant can take up a maximum of three projects, the BMC wants to bend the rules as it thinks TCEL is the most familiar with the project.

"The work includes verification of documents submitted by the contractor, supervise work, give advice for hassle-free and speedy work, make a report on the status of work, etc.," said an officer from the BMC.

The city gets 3,800 million litres of water a day (MLD). According to official records, 2,100 MLD if water goes to the sea as sewerage. The city has seven waste water treatment plants with preliminary treatment facilities at Worli, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Versova, Colaba, Bandra and Malad.

The treated effluent is discharged into the creek. Now, the civic body wanted to upgrade all the stations up to tertiary level with the addition of Dharavi. The treated water can be used for industrial purpose and gardening.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get the latest updates