Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Mumbai Corporators Urge Desilting to Restore Reservoir Storage Capacity
Mumbai gets drinking water from seven reservoirs.
Over time, silt can build up in them and take up space that could hold water.
Some city corporators want the reservoirs cleaned out regularly.
They say even a small increase in stored water could help during shortages.
One suggestion is to test desilting first at Vihar and Tulsi lakes.
Surveys found that the amount of lost capacity differs from one reservoir to another.
The city administration says it will consider the need and feasibility of desilting, including expert advice and a state pilot project.
The proposal has been sent back to the administration for consideration.
Corporators urged a systematic desilting programme for Mumbai’s seven drinking-water reservoirs.
They said a 4% increase in water stock could provide 15 additional days of supply.
Prabhakar Shinde called for desilting every five to 10 years, preferably before the monsoon.
MERI surveys found capacity declines of 16.42% at Vihar, 14.98% at Tulsi, 15.023% at Tansa, 8.986% at Modak Sagar and 1.709% at Middle Vaitarna.
The BMC referred the proposal back to its administration, which is awaiting consultant recommendations and findings from a state pilot project.
- Who
- Mumbai corporators and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration.
- What
- Corporators called for a systematic programme to desilt the city’s seven drinking-water reservoirs.
- When
- During a recent meeting of the BMC Standing Committee; no date was specified.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- To recover reservoir storage capacity and strengthen water security during shortages.
Corporators urging action
Administration seeking assessment
Timing and approach
Corporators urging action
Some corporators called for regular desilting, while Ganesh Khankar suggested first piloting the work at Vihar and Tulsi lakes.
Administration seeking assessment
The BMC administration said it would decide after examining findings from a state government pilot project and assessing the need and feasibility.
Need for expert advice
Corporators urging action
Tulip Miranda and Prabhakar Shinde called for a consultant to study silt and assess desilting in light of Mumbai’s water needs.
Administration seeking assessment
The administration said it had sought a panel of consultants recommended by the Central Water Commission.
- Reservoirs covered
- Mumbai’s seven drinking-water reservoirs
- Potential supply benefit
- Corporators said a 4% increase in water stock could provide 15 additional days of supply.
- Suggested schedule
- Prabhakar Shinde proposed desilting every five to 10 years, preferably before the monsoon.
- Vihar capacity decline
- 16.42%; estimated annual decline of 0.100%
- Tulsi capacity decline
- 14.98%; estimated annual decline of 0.104%
- Other reported declines
- Tansa: 15.023%; Modak Sagar: 8.986%; Middle Vaitarna: 1.709%
- Decision
- The proposal was referred back to the BMC administration for consideration.