The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed awarding a Rs 2,241 crore contract to Afcons Infrastructure Ltd for the construction of a 7.175-km underground water tunnel that will connect the proposed Manori desalination plant with Mumbai’s existing water distribution network.
The proposal has been placed before the civic standing committee for approval. The tunnel will transport treated desalinated water from the proposed 200 Million Litres per Day (MLD) desalination plant at Manori to the city’s water network through Charkop Municipal Garden and Mahavir Nagar in Kandivali.
According to civic officials, the tunnel will extend 4.63 km from Manori to Charkop Municipal Garden and another 2.545 km to Mahavir Nagar, with a total length of 7.175 km and an internal diameter of 2.5 metres.
The project has been designed to support Mumbai’s long-term water security. While the tunnel and pumping station will ultimately have a capacity of 400 MLD, the first phase will initially operate with mechanical and electrical systems capable of handling 200 MLD, matching the capacity of the desalination plant.
The desalination plant is expected to be completed within 48 months, while the connecting tunnel has been scheduled for completion in 45 months to ensure seamless integration into the city’s water supply network.
Construction of the tunnel will be carried out using two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which will excavate at depths ranging from 104 metres to 128 metres below ground. Three shafts will be constructed at Manori, Charkop Municipal Garden and Mahavir Nagar to facilitate tunnelling operations.
As part of the project, the pumping station will also be equipped with a 100-kilowatt solar power system aimed at reducing electricity consumption and lowering operating costs.
During the bidding process, J. Kumar–MEPL (JV) quoted 8.37% above the BMC’s estimated project cost of Rs 1,577 crore. Afcons Infrastructure Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder by submitting a quote that was 1.82% below the estimated cost.
The overall project cost, including taxes and other associated expenses, is expected to reach Rs 2,241 crore.
Separately, the BMC had awarded the contract for construction of the Manori desalination plant to GVPR Engineers Limited in December 2025. Together, the desalination plant and the connecting tunnel are expected to strengthen Mumbai’s future water supply and reduce dependence on rainfall-fed reservoirs.
Source: The Free Press Journal
