The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cautioned that the contractor could face penal action if the Versova sewage treatment plant (STP) is not completed by March 31, 2027. With approximately 80% of the project finished, the civic body has instructed the contractor to accelerate construction and deploy additional workers to meet the deadline.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar issued the directions during a site inspection on Wednesday. Reviewing civil, mechanical and electrical works, he called for different construction activities to proceed simultaneously while maintaining the required standards of quality and safety.
The BMC has established two key milestones for the project. The liquid line required for secondary sewage treatment must be completed by December 31, 2026, while the entire facility is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027.
Currently, around 340 workers are engaged at the site. Bangar directed the contractor to increase the workforce to 500 by October 31, 2026, and maintain the additional manpower until the project is completed. He also instructed the contractor to operate in three shifts to speed up execution.
During the inspection, officials reviewed the progress of process tanks, inlet and outlet systems, pump houses, sludge treatment units, internal pipelines and other civil works. The installation of pumps, aeration blowers, screening systems and associated equipment was also assessed.
Facility designed to treat 180 MLD of sewage
The plant is being developed at the existing lagoon site in Versova, with a treatment capacity of 180 million litres per day (MLD). According to the BMC, structural construction has been completed, while the remaining work involves installing and integrating mechanical and electrical systems.
The facility will employ Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to remove pollutants and harmful substances from sewage before discharge.
Once operational, the plant is expected to serve residents across Versova, Andheri West, Andheri East, Juhu and Vile Parle. It is also expected to help improve coastal water quality around Versova and adjoining areas of Mumbai’s western suburbs.
Bangar reiterated that construction must progress rapidly without compromising safety, efficiency or quality. Rajendra Parab, chief engineer of the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, and other officials attended the inspection.
The BMC has made it clear that failure to meet the March 2027 deadline could invite penalties against the contractor.
Source: Mid-day
