BMC Awards 2540 Crore Contract To Clear Deonar Legacy Waste
BMC has awarded a significant contract worth 2,540 crore rupees for the scientific treatment of 185 lakh tonnes of legacy waste at its Deonar dumping ground. This massive bioremediation tender saw Navayuga Engineering Ltd emerge as the lowest bidder for the crucial environmental project. The initiative marks one of the largest solid waste management tenders floated by the municipal corporation in recent years, aiming to address a long-standing environmental challenge for the city.
Navayuga Engineering’s winning bid was 7.29% above BMC’s original estimated cost, surpassing competitors like HG Infra and Re Sustainability. This means the project’s execution cost will now be higher than the initial projection of 2,368 crore rupees, with the per tonne processing cost increasing to 1,373.35 rupees from the projected 1,280 rupees. The selection of Navayuga comes at a crucial time, as the state government had specifically directed the BMC to clear the dump site land, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The directive from the state government followed an October 2024 cabinet approval to hand over a portion of the Deonar Dumping Ground for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd. This joint venture is notably led by Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd, an Adani Group Special Purpose Vehicle, and the Maharashtra government. In a letter sent to the BMC commissioner in January 2025, the state referenced the Swachh Bharat Mission Rules 2016, reiterating the municipal corporation’s duty to scientifically treat the waste on site.
The contract period is set for three years, a duration that includes mobilization efforts and the challenging monsoon season. Officials anticipate that mobilization will take time, given that waste at some spots can be as deep as 40 meters, requiring meticulous planning for the bioremediation process. Navayuga Engineering is also currently involved in other major infrastructure projects in Mumbai, including an elevated freeway extension and the Thane Coastal Road, reinforcing their presence in the region’s development.
