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