A significant upgrade of Mumbai’s water treatment infrastructure has been initiated at the Bhandup Complex, where an advanced 2,000 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant is being developed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The project is scheduled for completion by April 2029 and is being positioned as a critical intervention to address the city’s growing water requirements.
The new facility is being constructed to replace a 46-year-old treatment plant that has been in continuous operation for decades. Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance treatment efficiency and improve the reliability of water supply to large parts of the city, including the western suburbs and central urban zones of Mumbai.
The Bhandup Complex is recognised as Asia’s largest water purification facility, with a total installed capacity of 2,810 MLD. At present, two operational units within the complex treat approximately 1,910 MLD and 900 MLD of water daily. However, rising demand driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and expanding economic activity has necessitated the development of an additional high-capacity treatment unit.
The new 2,000 MLD plant is being developed across a 7.4-hectare parcel of land within the existing complex. Construction activities were recently reviewed during a site inspection conducted by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. During the visit, progress across multiple workstreams was assessed, and the pace of execution was emphasised.
According to civic officials, preparatory and foundational activities have been accelerated in recent weeks. Soil testing, excavation, site barricading, relocation of power infrastructure, and plantation work have been undertaken alongside civil construction. Mechanical, electrical, and equipment-related installations are also being carried out in parallel to ensure adherence to project timelines. Instructions have been issued to complete as much work as possible prior to the onset of the monsoon season, when construction activity is typically constrained.
The importance of the project has been underscored by civic leadership, with emphasis placed on the role of safe and reliable water access in safeguarding public health, supporting economic development, and promoting environmental sustainability. It has been stated that long-term planning and investment in resilient infrastructure are essential to bridge the gap between water demand and supply in a rapidly expanding metropolis.
Environmental impact mitigation has also been incorporated into the project plan. Approximately 1,235 trees are required to be felled for construction. Civic authorities have confirmed that 438 trees have already been replanted within the Bhandup Complex, while compensatory plantation of 11,443 trees is planned in the Tansa lake region, ensuring ecological balance alongside infrastructure development.