Mumbai: Under its project to clean and restore Powai Lake, the work orders for the sewage line diversion and setting up the sewage treatment plant (STP) are expected to be issued this month. Currently, 18 million litres of sewage flows directly into Powai Lake daily, causing the problem of excessive water hyacinth and unwanted vegetation, thereby adversely affecting water quality and biodiversity.
The BMC last month concluded that stopping the sewage inflow is the only term solution to preserve the lake. “The work order for the sewage line diversion is likely to be issued next week and for setting up a 9 MLD capacity STP is expected to be issued in 15 days. Once the work is started, it will take 18 months to complete. Meanwhile, the work of clearing the water hyacinth will continue and the contract for the same will also be extended,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar.
Bangar also clarified that the work of removing hyacinth at Powai Lake had halted for two days due to technical issues; however, the work resumed on Monday. As an immediate measure to clear the green cover in Powai Lake, since last month, the BMC has deployed more than five machines and increased manpower to remove and transport the water hyacinth.
The move is welcomed by the environmental activists who recently launched a campaign to save the Powai Lake from the harmful water weed that has engulfed the scenic lake.
In another development, the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) asked Maharashtra’s director of environment department to take necessary action to secure Powai Lake after complaints from green activists.
“The major wetland, which was once a source of drinking water, is now full of hyacinth due to the unchecked sewer flow. If the BMC is giving work orders for diverting sewage lines, we hope the work starts soon,” said environment activist BN Kumar.
