Target 2015: MMRDA entry fast-tracks dams…….Shweta Desai
The Gargai and Pinjal dams will be built earlier than scheduled and simultaneously, the former by the BMC and the latter by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
The original targets were 2020 for Gargai and 2025 for Pinjal. Amid a water crisis triggered by a weak monsoon, the decision to rope in the MMRDA and fast-track the projects was taken by the government in a meeting with BMC officials recently. We hope to complete construction by 2015 so that the years monsoon water can be tapped, said municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya.
According to a study by consultant Mott McDonald, the Gargai project would yield 227 million litres a day (mld) and Pinjal 1,475 mld. Gargai being a smaller project, Kshatriya said, the BMC will be in a better position to undertake it on a priority basis after the completion of the Middle Vaitarna project in 2012. Pinjal will be a multi-utility dam and part of the water will be used for irrigation, he said, explaining the decision to let MMRDA handle it.
V T Dange of the MMRDAs water supply resource management cell said a decision on funding is yet not taken. Either the BMC and the MMRDA can fund it jointly, or we can contribute 100 per cent as in the case of Shahi and Poshe dams for the Thane civic body.
Some officials in the BMC are upset that the MMRDA has been given the Pinjal project. The MMRDA has no expertise in constructing dams. If the dam is built by them the ownership will be in their name and the authority will
take a decision on how much water should be supplied to the BMC, said a civic official.
take a decision on how much water should be supplied to the BMC, said a civic official.
The city needs 4,250 mld but the BMC can only supply 3350 mld. Around 650 million litres are wasted daily due to pilferage, theft and illegal connections.
The Middle Vaitarna dam, once complete, will provide an additional 450 mld but till then the rising population will widen the demand-supply gap further. Officials said that in addition to desalination of seawater and recycling sewerage water for non-potable use, there is a need for augmenting natural water sources too.
Kshatriya said the process to complete the detailed project report and seek environmental clearance and funding will begin this year. The dam across the Gargai, a tributary of the Pinjal in the Thane region, is proposed at Ogade, 120 km from Mumbai, while the Pinjal dam has been proposed near Andheri, 130 km from the city.
Of the 1,475 mld from Pinjal, the BMC will be entitled to 868 mld while the rest will be used by the state for irrigation and for suburban areas of Thane district.
More to drink
* 868 mn litres/day
From Pinjal dam, 130 km from Mumbai, to be built by MMRDA. The 868 mld is the BMCs quota out of a total capacity of 1,475 mld: the state will use the rest for irrigation
* 868 mn litres/day
From Pinjal dam, 130 km from Mumbai, to be built by MMRDA. The 868 mld is the BMCs quota out of a total capacity of 1,475 mld: the state will use the rest for irrigation
* 227 mn litres/day
From Gargai dam, 120 km from Mumbai, to be built by BMC
From Gargai dam, 120 km from Mumbai, to be built by BMC