The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reevaluating the scale of the proposed alternative reservoir for Malabar Hill, initially suggested by IIT Roorkee. This consideration arises from the anticipation that the new reservoir might become redundant once the main reservoir is restored and operational. Senior BMC officials are currently consulting with former hydraulic engineers to gauge the feasibility of downsizing the proposed structure.
The IIT Roorkee team, commissioned to assess the Malabar Hill reservoir’s condition, had recommended an alternative reservoir with a capacity exceeding 52 million litres. The recommendation was based on the existing shortfall in usable storage, which stands at 13.24 million litres. According to their report, with the repair of one of the existing tanks—namely 1A, 1B, or 1C—a new tank should accommodate a usable capacity of at least 48.59 million litres. If repairs extend to tanks 2A and 2B, a larger alternative tank with a capacity of 52.4 million litres would be necessary. Despite these recommendations, BMC officials are considering a reduction in the alternative tank’s size. A senior official stated that while efforts will be made to minimise environmental impact, including tree removal, the final decision on the tank’s capacity will depend on the projected needs once the repairs are completed.
The Malabar Hill MLA, MP Lodha, had announced in June that the original plan to reconstruct the reservoir, estimated at Rs 698 crore, was scrapped in favour of repairs. Lodha emphasised that as long as environmental concerns are addressed, the focus should remain on upgrading the infrastructure rather than halting progress. The BMC’s review reflects a broader strategy to balance immediate infrastructure needs with long-term environmental considerations, ensuring that any interim solutions do not become unnecessary burdens once the primary reservoir is restored.
