Two treatment plants proposed near Mithi river to stop sewage

Even after spending around Rs 700 crore on widening and deepening the Mithi river in the last 12 years, keeping the river clean has been one of the biggest challenges for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The sewage emission from the nearby slums in Kurla has increased the pollution level in the river. To address this concern, the BMC has proposed two sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be installed in the slums. The proposed projects will be included in the Draft Development Plan (DP) of Mumbai 2034.

The STPs have been proposed to be installed on the land next to Mithi River in Kurla (L ward) which the BMC took over from the MMRDA. Recently, the MMRDA handed over three land parcels next to Mithi river to the BMC, of which the BMC has prepared proposed land usage to be included in the DP for which suggestions and objections are being called. The total area of the land handed over is 137 hectares, which includes L ward, H-West (Bandra west) and K-west (Oshiwara area) of which 35 hectares are in the L ward.

In many reports, the BMC has mentioned that keeping the river clean is difficult as the slums emit sewage directly. If the STPs are set up in the slums, the sewage will not be directly emitted into the river, which is at present polluting it, and also blocking the flow of rainwater. "The main purpose is to allow the sewage to get mixed with the stormwater drain. The sewage line and stormwater drain should be separated to allow the un-interrupted flow of water. But this does not happen in the slums in Kurla. When STP is set up, the sewage will be treated and then emitted in the mainstream flow," said a senior civic officer.

THE PLAN

• ​Recently, the MMRDA handed over three land parcels next to Mithi river to the BMC

• The STPs are proposed to be installed in the slums in Parikhadi near Dharavi, and near BKC road.