BMC
to float desalination plant tender for third time in Manori
Extract
from the article:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to float the tender
for their desalination plant project on Manori island, marking the third time
this tender process has been initiated since December 2023. This ambitious and
financially hefty project, estimated at ₹3,500 crore, aims to bolster Mumbai’s
potable water supply by generating 200 million litres per day (MLD). Despite
the urgency of resolving the city’s water scarcity issues, the project has
witnessed sluggish progress, underscoring systemic challenges that plague
mega-infrastructure undertakings.
The desalination plant is envisioned as a critical
supplement to Mumbai’s existing water supply chain, particularly serving
residents in the western suburbs such as Malad and Kandivali. Given the soaring
demand exceeding the city’s current water output, this plant has been proposed
as a sustainable and scalable solution, with preliminary designs suggesting a
future expansion to 400 MLD. Yet, the repeated tender floatation suggests
possible difficulties in attracting contractors, regulatory holdups, or financial
and environmental concerns needing resolution before the project can truly gain
traction.
My
Take:
A. Mumbai
Desalination Plant : Some Missing Facts
"Back in October 2023, I highlighted the sheer magnitude and latent
promise of the Manori desalination plant project, noting the envisaged 200 MLD
capacity with prospects for doubling to 400 MLD. My focus was not just on the
numbers but also on the nuanced budgetary allocations — ₹200 crore in initial
provision and a total capital expenditure exceeding ₹2,000 crore for
construction alone. I reflected on the operational costs surrounding energy
consumption and the potential integration of renewable energy sources to soften
the economic load of desalination — a critical, and often understated,
factor."
Looking at the current article, it’s evident my observations
remain relevant. The project’s repeated tendering underscores the intricate
complexities hidden beneath the project’s surface — from financial projections
to energy optimization and infrastructural bottlenecks. My previous emphasis on
renewable integrations feels even more pertinent now, as energy costs over the
next 20 years could be a decisive factor influencing contractor interest and
project feasibility. This project is a living example of how visionary
infrastructure ideas must confront the practical realities of urban governance
and resource economics.
B. Hydrogel
: Alternative for Drinking Water by Desalination ?
"In December 2023, I discussed the progression of the BMC in finally
issuing a tender after prolonged evaluations, including studies from an Israeli
company and a consulting body, M/s SMEC India. I emphasized the strategic
placement — a 12-hectare parcel in Manori village — and the staggering
financial estimate of ₹3,520 crore covering 20 years of O&M, illuminating
the scale and long-term commitment involved."
This latest news about the third tender attempt spotlights
the real-world friction points encountered by this project. Reflecting on the
evaluation and approval processes I noted, it seems that even thorough vetting
cannot wholly dissipate underlying challenges, perhaps relating to market
interest, contract stipulations, or environmental clearances. It reinforces the
cyclical nature of mega-project tenders, where consistent perseverance is as
crucial as technical readiness. My past insights underscore the significance of
patient stepwise progress amid Mumbai’s urgent water needs.
C. Water
From Air Or From Sea?
"Looking back to 2020, I had pointed out that while desalination was
initially stalled due to high costs, technological advancements have gradually
optimized expenses. At that time, an estimated ₹1,800 crore was projected for a
200 MLD plant — approximately half of today’s escalated estimates when
factoring in operational overheads. I also shed light on the demand-supply gap
at that time — a deficit of 450 MLD daily — making desalination a strategic
imperative to cover even 5% of Mumbai’s drinking water needs."
Considering this, the three-time tender reissue today seems
part of a long, extended journey that Mumbai’s water infrastructure has
traveled. Though costs have ballooned, reflecting inflation and expanded
project scope (including O&M), the core challenge remains delivering
incremental solutions to an increasingly parched metropolis. My reflections
demonstrate how foresight into evolving technologies and fiscal realities are
crucial to understanding the rhythm of infrastructure project cycles — not as
failures but as iterative adaptations.
Call
to Action:
To the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and all stakeholders driving the
Manori desalination plant project — it’s time to break this recurring stall
cycle. Consider streamlining regulatory processes, enhancing contractor
incentives, and aggressively integrating renewable energy frameworks to make
operating costs viable. Public-private partnerships could inject fresh momentum
and innovative financial models. Mumbai’s rapidly growing population and
aggravated water scarcity await pragmatic resolve, so let this third tender be
the turning point that expedites sustainable potable water security for
millions. Time for bold decisiveness, not incremental dithering.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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