The Dahisar River rejuvenation, beautification, and restoration project was relaunched on Sunday, May 10, with Union Minister and local MP Piyush Goyal inaugurating the initiative aimed at transforming the river into a major recreation and tourism hub for North Mumbai.
The upgraded plan envisions a Sabarmati Riverfront-style development stretching 4.5 kilometres along both banks of the Dahisar River. The project includes landscaping, decorative lighting, boating facilities, and eco-tourism zones designed to enhance public access and environmental value.
As part of environmental restoration measures, seven rainwater harvesting systems are being developed within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where the river originates. Additionally, around 4.4 kilometres of sewer lines are being laid to minimise untreated wastewater discharge into the river.
The inauguration also marked the completion of two fully automated sewage treatment plants under Phase 1 of the Dahisar River Revitalisation Project. One plant with a capacity of 5 million litres per day (MLD) has been set up at Indira Nagar in Dahisar West, while another 1.5 MLD facility has been built at Sukurwadi in Borivali East. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to reuse treated water from the 5 MLD plant for non-potable purposes such as gardening, road cleaning, and vehicle washing. Currently, the treated output is being discharged back into the river system.
Officials said nearly 99 per cent of Phase 1 work has been completed, with remaining tasks involving service roads, drainage systems, and sewer infrastructure delayed due to encroachments along certain river stretches.
Speaking at the event, Goyal emphasized public responsibility, stating that “the BMC alone cannot clean the river” and that citizen participation is essential to stop waste dumping into the waterbody.
The project was originally initiated in 2016–17 under then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and was later showcased again in 2021–22 by former Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray. However, progress over the years has been widely questioned.
Local corporator and standing committee member Prakash Darekar noted that visible progress is now being achieved, adding that Phase 1 work near Rustomjee has been inaugurated and sewage treatment facilities are operational.
Source: Mumbai Live
