Mumbai is moving forward with a significant expansion and modernisation of its water treatment network through two large-scale purification projects at Bhandup and Panjrapur. The upcoming facilities are expected to transform the city’s potable water management system and support the drinking water needs of millions of residents over the coming decade. According to plans advanced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the projects are scheduled to become operational by the end of the decade and will together handle a major portion of Mumbai’s daily water supply requirements.
Urban infrastructure specialists believe the projects highlight the increasing pressure on major metropolitan cities to strengthen essential civic utilities amid rapid urbanisation, climate uncertainty and mounting stress on ageing infrastructure systems. The initiative also marks a broader shift away from outdated purification facilities that have surpassed their intended lifespan.
At Bhandup, one of Mumbai’s oldest treatment units, operational for over 40 years, is set to be replaced with a more advanced facility aimed at improving efficiency, reliability and long-term resilience. Bhandup remains a crucial hub in Mumbai’s water purification system and is considered among Asia’s largest treatment complexes. The city currently relies on an extensive reservoir and transmission network that supplies more than 4,000 million litres of drinking water daily across residential, industrial and commercial areas.
Experts note that expanding and modernising treatment infrastructure has become increasingly important as Mumbai witnesses sustained population growth, new housing development and expanding commercial corridors. The proposed plants are expected to incorporate advanced filtration technologies, automation systems and improved monitoring mechanisms to enhance water quality and operational efficiency.
However, analysts caution that increasing treatment capacity alone will not fully address Mumbai’s long-term water concerns. Significant water losses continue through ageing pipelines, leakages and inefficient distribution systems. Environmental planners also emphasise the need for rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and watershed conservation to ensure sustainable water security as Mumbai prepares for future climate and population pressures.
Source: Urban Acres
