Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Clears BMC’s 8-Kilometre Underground Water Tunnel Project
Mumbai gets water through several large pipelines between Pise and Panjrapur.
Four of these pipelines are old and are nearing the end of their working lives.
The Maharashtra government has approved a plan for an underground tunnel to carry the water instead.
The tunnel will be about eight kilometres long.
It is meant to make the water network stronger and help with growing demand.
The BMC will pay for and manage the entire project.
Engineers must study the ground before choosing the tunnel machine.
They must also protect nearby buildings, control pollution and take special safety steps during the monsoon.
The Maharashtra government approved the BMC’s plan for an 8-kilometre underground water tunnel between Pise and Panjrapur.
The tunnel will replace four aging surface pipelines that have operated for 19 to 47 years.
The project aims to address space constraints, pipeline deterioration, surface disruptions and rising MMR water demand.
The BMC must fund, build, maintain and manage the tunnel without financial liability for the state government.
Authorities required geological studies, environmental checks, monsoon safeguards and measures to control dust, waste and noise.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
- What
- Approval was extended for the BMC to design and construct an 8-kilometre underground water tunnel.
- When
- The state approval was issued on Monday; the BMC’s proposal was dated March 23, 2026.
- Where
- Between Pise and Panjrapur in Bhiwandi, serving Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- Why
- To replace aging surface pipelines, address corridor space constraints and strengthen water distribution for rising regional demand.
- Project length
- 8 kilometres
- Project route
- Pise to Panjrapur in Bhiwandi
- Existing infrastructure
- Four surface pipelines: three 2,235 mm wide and one 3,000 mm wide
- Pipeline operating history
- The pipelines have operated for 47, 40, 30 and 19 years
- Financial responsibility
- The BMC must fund, execute and maintain the project; the state will bear no financial liability
- Technical requirement
- A complete geological study must be conducted before selecting the Tunnel Boring Machine
- Noise-control target
- Construction noise must be kept below 55 decibels