Mumbai: BMC reviews Bhandup sewage tunnel project to boost water reuse

Sewage treatment is critical to safeguarding urban cleanliness public health and longterm water sustainability Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said on Friday underscoring the civic bodyrsquos push to curb water pollution and promote reuse of treated wastewaterBhandup STPndashBhandup Complex tunnel to supply tertiarytreated waterGagrani made the remarks during an inspection of the ongoing Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant STP to Bhandup Complex water tunnel project a key infrastructure initiative aimed at transporting tertiarytreated sewage for nonpotable use The project is part of a broader strategy by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to strengthen climateresilient water sources and bridge the widening gap between water demand and supply in MumbaiUntreated sewage increases pollution and risk of waterborne diseasesHighlighting the environmental and public health implications of untreated wastewater Gagrani said untreated sewage significantly increases water pollution and poses serious risks of waterborne diseases ldquoThrough sewage treatment plants harmful substances and diseasecausing pathogens in wastewater are effectively removed allowing the treated water to be safely reused This reduces pressure on natural water sources improves urban sanitation and enhances the overall quality of life for citizensrdquo he saidTunnel construction progresses using two TBMs at key locationsThe commissioner reviewed the progress of the underground water tunnel being constructed to convey tertiarytreated water from the Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant to the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant and onward to the Bhandup Complex Deputy Commissioner Special Engineering Purushottam Malwade Chief Engineer Water Supply Projects Mahendra Ubale and other senior engineers and officials were present during the site visitAccording to officials the alignment for the tunnel between the Bhandup Complex and the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant has been successfully established using the first tunnel boring machine TBM This stretch measures 4365 metres At the Bhandup Complex construction of a 175metredeep launching shaft is underway with excavation completed up to 45 metres Once tunnel excavation is completed a 104metredeep retrieval shaft is planned at the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant for the removal of the TBMWork is also progressing on the tunnel section between the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant and the Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant Using a second TBM the alignment for this 7245metrelong stretch has been finalised At the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant excavation has begun for a 155metredeep launching shaft with 77 metres completed so farTertiary treatment planned for nearly 50 per cent of Mumbairsquos sewageOverall the project involves a combined tunnel length of 11610 metres to be excavated using TBMs Civic officials said the work is progressing in a phased and planned manner after finalising alignments between the Bhandup Complex Bhandup STP and Ghatkopar STPGagrani noted that the BMC has undertaken multiple sewage treatment projects across the city to ensure modern treatment of wastewater generated within municipal limits Under these initiatives tertiary treatment is proposed for nearly 50 per cent of Mumbairsquos sewage As part of this plan an underground tunnel with a capacity of 970 million litres per day is proposed to convey about 500 million litres per day of tertiarytreated water from Dharavi to Ghatkopar and further to the Bhandup Complex Preliminary works for this tunnel are currently underwayReiterating the importance of sewage treatment amid rapid urbanisation and population growth Gagrani said the removal of solid waste harmful chemical components and pathogens from wastewater is essential for sustainable urban development ldquoSewage treatment is no longer optionalmdashit is a fundamental component of modern urban infrastructurerdquo he added