Mumbai: Expert committee says Malabar Hill reservoir doesn't require demolition

Hanging Gardens at Malabar Hill just might be saved. An expert committee submitted a report stating there was no need for the demolition of the century-old reservoir, which lies under the garden. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration is expected to make a final decision in the next 15 days.

In the interim report, an expert committee ruled out the need for the demolition of Malabar Hill Reservoir, said Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban district. The final decision will be taken on the reconstruction of the reservoir in the next 15 days after the final report is submitted by the committee, he said while addressing a press conference at the BMC headquarters on Tuesday.

"The expert committee in its interim report suggests there is no need for demolition and reconstruction of the reservoir, but there is a need for minor repairs and one tank needs major repair. While minor repairs could be completed in three to four days," he said. The recommendation by the expert committee would come as a big relief to local residents and environmentalists who were against the cutting of trees.

"Before starting major repairs of the C1 tank, there is a need to construct a temporary tank for alternative water storage. There is a need to cut 20 to 30 trees for repairing the C1 tank," said Lodha.

BMC waiting for conclusive report

"The BMC administration would like to make it clear that till the conclusive report by IIT Bombay based on the expert committee's recommendations is submitted, it will be premature to come to any conclusion on the reconstruction or repairs of Malabar Hill Reservoir," the civic body said in a statement.

As per the prescribed terms of reference, IIT Bombay is expected to suggest an actionable proposal based on the committee's recommendations, after considering all aspects and taking into consideration the letters and e-mails received from the citizens of Mumbai.

The BMC has appointed an eight-member committee to study whether the reconstruction or repairing of the existing reservoir is feasible, without affecting the regular water supply. The committee includes four expert members from IIT Bombay in the fields of structures, hydraulics and geology; three members representing the local citizen along with one member from BMC.

The residents of Malabar Hill had opposed cutting 389 trees at the Hanging Gardens. The BMC has decided to reconstruct the century-old Malabar Hill reservoir which is supplying 147 million litres of water mainly to south Mumbai. The reconstruction of the reservoir would have resulted in cutting of 389 trees in the Hanging Gardens. Locals and environmental activists opposed this move of BMC. When the citizens persisted in their stand to save the garden, the BMC decided to appoint an expert committee.

The second inspection of the reservoir was done on December 18

The BMC approved the proposal in February 2022 and the cost of the project is Rs 698.50 crore. The work will be done in phases for the next seven years and is expected to be completed by the end of 2029. Civic officials said the project is to increase the capacity of the reservoir from 147.78 million litres to 191 million litres.

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No of trees likely to be axed if C1 tank is repaired