26 November,2017 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Chetna Sadadekar
In a bid to ensure that untreated sewage is not let out into the sea, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has an additional plan
In a bid to ensure that untreated sewage is not let out into the sea, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has an additional plan. Just a few weeks ago, the BMC announced that it would be setting up seven Sewerage Treatment plants across the city in the next five years. Now, it has stated that it aims to connect the city's sewer lines. Currently, the city's sewerage network is unorganised, which means sewage can enter the storm water drains or even be released into the sea without being treated. Linking the network and connecting it to the treatment plants will ensure that neither of the two happen.
The overflowing sewage under Sion-Dharavi foot-over-bridge. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
The project is likely to cost Rs 500 crore and the first phase aims to bring 93 kilometres of sewer lines in one network. The plan has also been announced in the annual civic budget of 2017-2018. To strengthen the Mumbai Sewerage Disposal Project (MSDP)-2 the BMC has plans to construct and upgrade seven waste water treatment facilities or sewerage treatment plants (STP) at Colaba, Worli, Dharavi, Bandra, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Malad for treating sewage in order that the water can be reused. According to the civic body, Mumbai generates about 2,100 million litres of sewage daily of which 1,700 million litres can be brought to use for non-potable purposes after secondary treatment.
A senior civic official not willing to be named, said, "Currently a lot of sewage is disposed of in the sea untreated and it is after the changed norms of MPCB that we had to create a proper network so that sewage can be treated first."
