Mumbai: BMC Considers Two Alternative Water Tanks for Malabar Hill Reservoir Repairs
Following a recent official inspection of the Malabar Hill Reservoir (MHR), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is exploring the construction of two alternative water tanks before commencing repair work. The civic authorities are currently assessing the operational feasibility of these alternatives to ensure minimal environmental impact and optimal functionality.
Original Plan and Environmental Concerns
Initially, based on recommendations from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, the BMC planned to construct a single alternative water tank with a capacity of 52 million litres per day (MLD). To reduce environmental impact—particularly the felling of trees—residents of Malabar Hill proposed an alternative location for the project.
In response, officials from the BMC’s Waterworks Department conducted a site visit last month to evaluate the feasibility of this suggestion.
Two Sites Identified for Proposed Tanks
“We have identified two proposed sites: one adjacent to the reservoir and another behind the Hanging Gardens. However, the site next to the reservoir has limited capacity, necessitating the construction of an additional 35 MLD tank,” said a senior civic official.
The official added, “Managing two separate tanks would pose operational challenges, so we are currently assessing the feasibility of operating both alternatives effectively.” They also confirmed that this approach would reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down.
Background of Malabar Hill Reservoir Repairs
The Malabar Hill Reservoir, the oldest reservoir beneath the iconic Hanging Gardens, supplies 147 MLD of water daily to South Mumbai. Initially, the BMC proposed a nearly Rs 1000-crore plan to demolish and reconstruct the structure, which required building a 90 MLD replacement tank and would have impacted 389 trees, including 200 slated for transplantation.
However, experts from IIT-Bombay later concluded that complete reconstruction wasn’t necessary and that repairs would suffice.
Scaled-Down Repair Plan Adopted
In February 2024, an expert panel warned that phased repairs would disrupt the water supply unless an alternative tank was created. Acting on the IIT-Roorkee recommendation, the BMC opted for a scaled-down, vertical tank with a 35–44 MLD capacity to minimize land use and environmental impact.
Following sustained public opposition, the original reconstruction plan was ultimately scrapped.
Also Watch: Scaled-Down Repair Plan Adopted
For details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, please visit https://budgetproperties.in/
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-considers-2-alternative-tanks-for-malabar-hill-reservoir-repairs
