BMC Justifies Increased Land Demand for Worli Sewage Plant Expansion
Days after the Bombay High Court sought clarification on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) revised stance regarding land allocation for the Worli sewage treatment plant (STP) expansion, civic officials have provided detailed reasoning. In a high-level meeting chaired by BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Thursday, officials emphasized that rapid development and extensive redevelopment projects in Worli and its adjoining areas have substantially increased sewage loads. This surge necessitates the restoration of the full reserved plot measuring 27,698 square meters, rather than the previously demanded 17,756 square meters.
Affidavit to Be Filed Next Week
The civic body is preparing to file an affidavit before the court next week, formally reflecting this updated position. According to a civic official, fresh reassessments indicate that the land requirement could potentially rise to nearly 29,000 square meters. However, due to significant land constraints in the area, the BMC may be compelled to consider vertical construction for certain parts of the facility to optimize space utilization.
"We had already conveyed to the court the requirement for the entire reserved plot but shall also be filing an affidavit with regard to it," stated an official. The official further explained that the space needed extends beyond just the STP setup itself. Additional area is essential for operational activities, vehicle movement, and routine maintenance of the facility, all of which are critical for efficient functioning.
Intense Deliberations and Future Demands
Officials revealed that two rounds of intense discussions were held on Thursday, leading to a firm decision that the civic body requires the entire reserved plot. "We had two rounds of discussion on this on Thursday and have decided that the civic body needs the entire reserved plot," confirmed the official. With these deliberations concluded, the BMC is now gearing up to formally advocate for the restoration of the full plot to address future infrastructure demands and ensure adequate sewage management capacity.
Background: Unauthorized Construction and Legal Scrutiny
The issue gained prominence in February when the BMC issued a stop-work notice to a transit camp constructed by a private developer in Worli. This action was taken after it was discovered that the structure had been built on BMC land specifically earmarked for the STP's expansion. Officials noted that two of the seven-storey buildings at the site were erected without obtaining mandatory permissions, raising serious compliance concerns.
In the same month, the High Court intervened by halting further construction of transit buildings on the plot, thereby intensifying scrutiny over the use of reserved land. Civic officials expressed particular alarm over this unauthorized construction, as two major municipal sewer lines traverse the site. Preliminary findings suggested that construction activities by the implementing agency had already disrupted sewerage flow, heightening risks of flooding and potential infrastructure failure, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
The BMC's push for the full plot restoration is driven by the urgent need to mitigate these risks and accommodate the growing sewage infrastructure requirements of Mumbai's rapidly developing Worli region.
