Fishermen Announce October 19 Shutdown, Bandra Morcha Against BMC's Manori Desalination Plant

Mumbai fishermen have announced a shutdown on October 19 and will hold a protest outside the District Collector's Office in Bandra against the BMC's proposed Manori desalination plant. The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti (AMMKS), Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti (MMKS), and other fishing organizations have raised concerns about the environment impact and financial viability of the project.

Mumbai reportedly loses 1,445 million litres daily (MLD) due to water leakages, which could be reduced by almost 38% according to the unions. The project's Detailed Project Report (DPR) suggests that reducing leakages to 15% could save around 875 MLD. The unions argue that discharging 300 MLD of brine into the sea from the plant's first phase could harm marine ecosystems and fish resources, threatening the livelihoods of fishermen.

The project's estimated initial cost is Rs 3,462 crore, with an annual electricity bill of Rs 147 crore, making the total financial burden exceed Rs 6,000 crore. The unions have called the project a "costly white elephant" and demanded that the Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde cancel it.