Mumbai: BMC Proposes 12-Month IIT Bombay Study Of Powai Lake Ahead Of Desilting; ₹1.85-Crore Promenade Plan

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a 12-month study by IIT Bombay to evaluate the water quality of Powai Lake before any ecological restoration and desilting efforts commence. Professor Anurag Garg of IIT Bombay's Department of Environmental Science and Engineering will lead the feasibility study, recommend the optimal desilting method, and prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Professor Garg, with expertise in waste management, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery, will provide crucial scientific and technical input to bolster the lake's revival.

The water quality assessment will entail collecting 32 samples from 12 locations in the lake and six sewage outfalls. These samples will be analyzed for pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, coliform, and heavy metals. The project will also examine the environmental implications of desilting, including the potential release of pollutants back into the water. Consideration will be given to seasonal variations in water quality, sewage inflows, and the most suitable desilting method before finalizing the restoration plan.

Funding for the study will come from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, with IIT Bombay requesting an initial payment of Rs 62 lakh. The proposal is currently under review by the Standing Committee. The vast 223-hectare Powai Lake, with a 6.61-square-kilometer catchment area, is one of Mumbai's most significant urban water bodies.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also appointed AECOM Asia Company Limited to prepare a master plan for the redevelopment of the Powai Lake promenade. The consultancy costs for this endeavor amount to Rs 1.85 crore. The redevelopment plan aims to comprehensively revitalize the lake and promenade, incorporating potential future recreational facilities.

Notably, the lake will cease receiving sewage starting October 1, following the interception of all 18 sewage outfalls. This development may also pave the way for ticketed access, as the state government is urging the BMC to devise a financially self-sustaining model for the popular public space.