Mumbai: After a year-long delay, the BMC has finally issued a tender for Phase 3 of the Mithi River Rejuvenation project. This phase includes the widening and deepening of the remaining 300 meters of the river, the construction of a protective wall, a promenade, and flood control gates. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 2,394 crore. However, clearing encroachments along the river will be a challenge for the BMC.
The plan for the widening, deepening, beautification and pollution control of the Mithi River is divided into four phases. Phase 3 of the project involves intercepting sewage from 26 outfalls in the Mithi and Vakola rivers and redirecting it to the main sewer system through an 8,343-meter sewage line along the riverbanks.
It also includes widening and deepening 300 meters of the river, constructing a 6,780-meter protective wall, a 6,421-meter service road, an 8,850-meter promenade, and flood control gates with drainage systems at 25 outfalls, along with other allied works extending from CST Road, Kurla, to Mahim Causeway.
The tender for phase 3 was first cancelled in March 2023 due to concerns over relocating affected people. A revised proposal with updated rates was issued, but the tender faced another cancellation due to lack of bidder response.
The BMC then appointed a consultant to revise the terms, and after receiving administrative approval, a fresh tender was invited on Friday. Work is expected to be completed in the next 48 months.
"Encroachments along the river have posed a major challenge, but we have cleared some of the nearly 2,000 hutments and plans to remove the remaining encroachments soon," said a senior civic official.
In Phase 1, the construction of an 8 million liters per day capacity sewage treatment plant, costing Rs 133 crore, from Filter Pada to Powai has been completed. In Phase 2, 60% of the work on the construction of the retaining wall, service road, interceptor, and laying of the sewer line from WSP Compound, Powai to CST Road, Kurla has been completed.
In Phase 4, approximately 84% of the work on the construction of a tunnel from Bapat Nalla to Safed Pool Nalla to the Dharavi Waste Water Treatment Facility has been completed.
The 17.8-km river starts at Vihar Lake and ends in the Arabian Sea at Mahim Causeway. The 6-km part of Mithi river falls under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Authority (MMRDA) and the remaining 11.8-km is under the BMC.
