Mumbai’s water security efforts have taken a major step forward with the approval of a new 910 million litres per day (MLD) advanced treatment unit at the Pise–Panjrapur complex. Positioned alongside the existing 455 MLD facility, the expansion will raise the plant’s total output to 1,820 MLD, offering a significant boost to the water supply delivered to the eastern and western suburbs. The project forms part of the city’s push to modernise outdated infrastructure while improving service reliability for a rapidly growing population.
Mumbai currently draws and treats around 4,100 MLD of water daily through its two key treatment hubs — the Bhandup complex and the Pise–Panjrapur plant. However, civic officials acknowledge that portions of this network are approaching the end of their design life. The city’s older treatment unit, commissioned more than four decades ago, has experienced structural deterioration and declining operational efficiency, prompting an accelerated plan for replacement. The new facility, spanning 7.6 hectares, aims to bridge this infrastructural gap while aligning with future demand projections. According to officials involved in the project, the new treatment unit will deploy high-rate filtration systems, advanced coagulation processes and a closed-loop backwash-water recycling mechanism. These technologies are designed to deliver larger volumes of clean water within a smaller environmental footprint — a critical priority for Mumbai, where land and ecological buffers are under persistent pressure. The emphasis on recycling process water also supports the city’s transition toward more sustainable resource management.
The project will be executed by Welspun Enterprises Limited at an estimated cost of ₹3,145 crore. Construction is expected to take four years, followed by a 15-year maintenance commitment from the contractor. Civic engineers say the long-term performance contract is intended to ensure operational stability, reduce lifecycle costs and maintain water quality standards in line with national norms. Urban planners suggest that the Pise–Panjrapur upgrade arrives at a pivotal moment. With denser urban growth and climate-induced variability in rainfall, cities such as Mumbai face increasing challenges in ensuring safe, equitable and uninterrupted water access. Industry experts observe that incorporating advanced treatment technologies and circular water-use systems is critical not only for supply expansion but also for enhancing resilience within the broader urban water ecosystem.
The upgraded plant is expected to play a key role in reducing pressure on older assets, offering greater flexibility during maintenance shutdowns and strengthening the city’s capacity to serve both existing communities and new developments. By expanding treatment capabilities with cleaner and more efficient technologies, the project also aligns with Mumbai’s long-term vision of building environmentally responsible and inclusive urban infrastructure. As work progresses, civic authorities emphasise that consistent investment in water security remains essential for safeguarding public health, supporting economic activity and future-proofing high-density metropolitan regions.
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