1 week ago
Manori Residents Protest Mumbai Desalination Plant Over Coastal Concerns
People living in Manori and nearby villages are protesting a planned desalination plant.
A desalination plant makes freshwater from seawater.
Residents worry that the project could damage a coastal hill and hurt fishing.
They also fear that salty wastewater, called brine, could harm sea life.
Protesters say the local community was not properly consulted.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation says the wastewater will be released into the deep sea.
Officials also said they are considering giving local residents priority for jobs at the plant.
The facility is planned to supply Mumbai with up to 200 million litres of water each day at first.
Hundreds of Manori and nearby village residents protested the proposed desalination plant at Band Dongar.
Residents fear coastline damage, brine pollution, and harm to fishing livelihoods and marine life.
Protesters alleged that date palms on the hill were cut down before the project proceeded.
GVPR Engineers Ltd won the ₹11,166.17 crore contract, including construction and 20 years of operations and maintenance.
The plant is expected to begin operating by 2029 and initially produce 200 million litres of water daily.
- Who
- Residents of Manori and nearby villages, supported by the Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti and Mobai Gaothan Panchayat, are protesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation project.
- What
- They oppose a proposed desalination plant at Band Dongar and raise concerns about coastal damage, brine discharge, fishing, and lack of consultation.
- Where
- The protest was held near the Manori ferry jetty, while the proposed plant would be built at Band Dongar and connected to Mumbai’s water network through a tunnel.
- When
- The protest took place on Friday morning; opposition to the project dates back to 2021–22.
- Why
- Residents fear the project will damage a hill and coastline, threaten marine life and fishing livelihoods, and was approved without adequate community consultation.
Residents and Fishing Groups
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Impact on fishing and marine life
Residents and Fishing Groups
Residents say brine and other wastewater could damage marine life and disrupt fishing operations along the Manori-Uttan coast.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
A senior civic official said the waste would be discharged into the deep sea and would not interfere with fishing operations.
Coastal hill and vegetation
Residents and Fishing Groups
Protesters say the plant would deface the coastline and destroy the hill overlooking the sea; they also alleged that date palms had been cut down.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
The civic authority says the project has received all requisite clearances.
Community consultation and local benefits
Residents and Fishing Groups
Residents allege they were not consulted before the project was finalised and are seeking greater consideration for the local community.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
The civic official said the BMC is considering residents’ demand for priority in employment opportunities at the project site.
Key facts
- Project cost
- ₹11,166.17 crore, including construction and 20 years of operations, maintenance, power, taxes, and lifecycle expenses.
- Contractor
- GVPR Engineers Ltd secured the contract.
- Site
- The plant is planned for a 12-hectare site at Band Dongar.
- Initial capacity
- The facility is planned to produce 200 million litres of desalinated water per day.
- Potential capacity
- The plant’s output can later be increased to 400 million litres per day.
- Water tunnel
- A 7.2-kilometre underground tunnel will connect Manori with Charkop and Mahavir Nagar in Kandivali.
- Expected operation
- The plant is expected to become operational by 2029.
Quotes
Senior civic official
BMC official responding to residents’ concerns
“We have assured them that the waste will be discharged into the deep sea and will not interfere with fishing operations. We are also considering their demand for priority in employment opportunities at the project site. All requisite clearances have been obtained.”
freepressjournal.in
“The plant will ruin the beautiful hill and wastewater from it will destroy marine life. The BMC put up boards announcing the project without discussing it with residents.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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