Mumbai: BMC to Construct 8.48 km Underground Water Supply Tunnel Between Dharavi and Ghatkopar
Mumbai, 3rd October 2024: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to construct an 8.48 km-long underground water supply tunnel between Dharavi and Ghatkopar, as reported by The Indian Express.
The tunnel will be built at 145-150 meters, with its deepest point at 152 meters near Ghatkopar. It is designed to be laid deeper than existing pipelines to avoid damage from road or civil infrastructure works. Additionally, the BMC will set up two wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF) at these locations, transporting recycled water through the tunnels.
This new tunnel will be part of a larger 11.61 km water tunnel network extending from Ghatkopar to Bhandup. Currently, BMC maintains a 100 km water tunnel network across Mumbai.
The areas of Ghatkopar, Parel, and Wadala in the eastern suburbs and central parts of the city have faced challenges with water supply due to outdated pipelines that struggled to maintain adequate pressure in densely populated zones.
The 8.48 km tunnel is estimated to cost ₹1,989 crore, and a work order was issued for its construction on September 30. Civic officials have confirmed that the tunnel, with a diameter of approximately 12 meters, will be constructed using a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
“The project aims to reduce water contamination and prevent man-made leakages. Constructing tunnels deep below the surface minimizes the risk of damage during civic and infrastructure works. Additionally, the larger diameter will allow a higher volume of water supply, resulting in improved water pressure,” a BMC official said.
In August, the BMC completed excavation of a 9.7 km water tunnel between Ghatkopar and Wadala. This addition brings Mumbai’s underground water tunnel network to 100 km, while New York currently holds the record for the longest such network globally at 111 km. Mumbai’s first water supply tunnel was built in 1955, and the network has steadily expanded over the years.
