Mumbai: BMC prefers Manori plant over Gargai dam as it will save 4 lakh trees

Tansa lake and wildlife sanctuary. Pic/Facebook

Between the desalination plant and the Gargai dam, the BMC seems to be inclined towards the former despite criticism of its high production cost. The Manori plant will also provide the city with only 200 million litres of water per day, half of the dam's expected output. However, it will save us from losing massive green cover, as the Gargai dam project would have cost us 4 lakh trees at Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. Water output at the plant could be doubled gradually, says BMC, but we will not get back lost forest.

BMC plans to set up the desalination plant at Manori. Representation pic

The reservoir project had been pushed strongly under the Devendra Fadnavis government, however, the BMC has set it aside and for all the right reasons. "Lakhs of trees need to be cut for Gargai dam. A desalination project is an environment-friendly option, and that is why we are eagerly working on it," said BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.

"The former commissioner had disposed of the idea of building the desalination plant citing high cost and impractical solution," said a senior BMC official on condition of anonymity. But under the new administration, the desalination plant project got a push, as it was "recommended by Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray himself," he added.

Environmentalists have also appreciated the decision. "The number of trees, 4 lakh, is underestimated. Also, an ecosystem that includes shrubs, animals, birds, etc, will be affected. The 700 hectares that the dam would submerge is the best part of the sanctuary, having a great variety of flora and fauna," said Kedar Gore, director, The Corbett Foundation.

The Shiv Sena-led government stopped the construction of the Metro car shed at Aarey to protect around 3,000 trees. For Gargai, 4 lakh trees would have to be razed, and it may harm the government's image as a pro-environment, he said.

The city gets 3,800 MLD from seven reservoirs, and the corporation decided to build three more dams - Gargai (440 MLD), Pinjal (865 MLD) and Damanganga-Pinjal River link project (1,586 MLD) to increase the supply by 2,891 MLD by 2050. Work on Gargai dam was in full swing before the COVID-19 lockdown and the plan was to build it by 2025. but, only Rs 3.5 crore provision was announced for the Rs 4,000-crore project for FY 2021-22. "The joint survey for the compensation of land [for Gargai dam] is under process. It will take time," said Shirish Uchgaonkar, chief engineer of the water supply project department.

Another official from the department said, "The dam will be spread over 1,100 hectares, and affect 700 hectares and over 4 lakh trees at Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. Also, residents from 1,000 homes will have to be relocated in Palghar district."

So, the BMC has diverted its focus on the desalination plant at Manori and is in a hurry to appoint a consultant for the R3,5000-crore project. For the Manori plant, Chahal has proposed only Rs 5 lakh as a token amount, but the standing committee and corporation house have given in-principle nod. The detailed survey report will be ready within eight months and the project completion will take 30 months.

BJP's Mumbai spokesperson Bhalchandra Shirsat said, "Why is there so much hurry to bring in a proposal just for in-principle approval, and without a survey? If the BMC put an end to leakage of 900 MLD water, there will be no need to spend Rs 3,500 crore for 200 MLD water," he said. He added that there is also a question of whether the water will be potable.

400 MLD
Amount of water proposed Gargai dam would have provided the city with

200 MLD
Amount of water a desalination plant can provide Mumbai with

Rs 1.6K cr
Cost of building desalination plant

Rs 1.9K cr
Maintenance cost of plant for 20 years