Mumbai: Expert Committee to Inspect Malabar Hill Reservoir; Water Supply Interruptions Expected
Mumbai, 6th December 2023: An expert committee, appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is set to inspect the Malabar Hill Reservoir, particularly Storage No. 2, on Thursday, December 7. The inspection involves an internal assessment of the reservoir and requires emptying tank number 2. Consequently, water supply interruptions are anticipated in various parts of the city during this process.
The Malabar Hill Reservoir, a critical water source for South Mumbai, has been a subject of debate regarding its reconstruction. The reservoir, built in 1887 under the Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens), is 136 years old and needs reconstruction. However, the proposed reconstruction plan has faced opposition from residents and environmentalists due to the potential impact on 389 trees and the closure of the park for seven years.
To address the ongoing debate, BMC formed a review committee last month, comprising three professors from IIT Bombay, municipal officials, and residents. The committee was given a month to decide on the reconstruction or repair of the reservoir. As part of their assessment, an internal inspection of Storage No. 2 is scheduled for December 7.
To facilitate the inspection, tank number 2 of the reservoir must be emptied, leading to water supply interruptions in several areas. The expert committee plans to conduct the internal inspection from 8 am to 10 am on Thursday.
The interruption in water supply will impact various areas in Mumbai, with different percentages of reduction:
– Cuffe Parade and Ambedkar Nagar: 100% water supply shut off from 11.20 am to 1.45 pm.
– Nariman Point and GD Somani: 50% reduction in water supply.
– Army Area: 30% reduction in water supply.
– Girgaon, Mumbadevi: 10% reduction in water supply.
– Pedder Road: 20% reduction in water supply.
– Nana Chowk, Tardeo, Grant Road: 10% reduction in water supply.
– Worli, Prabhadevi, Dadar, Mahim, Dharavi: 10% reduction in water supply.
