Mumbai’s ₹3,000-Crore Underground Tunnel to Recycle Treated Sewage Water
Mumbai Civic Update: BMC Secures CRZ Nod for ₹3,000-Crore Dharavi-Bhandup Water Tunnel Project to Transport Treated Sewage
The BMC has obtained Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) nod for an 8.48-km, 2.7-metre-diameter tunnel to transport tertiary-treated water from the Dharavi Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) to the Bhandup Water Filtration Plant via the Ghatkopar WWTF.
Mumbai is set to construct an underground tunnel to transport treated sewage water for reuse. The project, costing Rs 3,000 crore, aims to reduce waste and tackle future drinking water shortages. Officials also stress that nearly a third of the city’s daily water supply is currently lost to leaks and theft.
The 8.48-kilometre tunnel will run 145-150 metres below ground, reaching a maximum depth of 152 metres near Ghatkopar. With a diameter of 2.7 metres, it will carry 416 million litres per day (MLD) of tertiary-treated water from the Dharavi Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to the Bhandup Water Filtration Plant via Ghatkopar STP.
The proposal was forwarded by Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner and approved in 2023. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance has already been secured for the project. This initiative is part of a broader Rs 27,309-crore upgrade to the city’s seven STPs, which currently treat a combined 2,464 MLD of sewage daily.
City officials suggest that reusing treated water could help meet Mumbai’s growing potable water needs. The move comes as the city grapples with high non-revenue water (NRW) losses, with around 34% of daily supply wasted through theft, leaks, and pilferage.
The tunnel project will repurpose treated sewage water, easing pressure on Mumbai’s strained water resources. Once operational, it will contribute to the city’s long-term water security while reducing reliance on fresh sources. The upgrade also aligns with efforts to modernise Mumbai’s ageing sewage infrastructure.
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