Mumbai: A team from IIT Roorkee, which had inspected the BMC’s Malabar Hill reservoir in June last year, has once again informed the civic body that an alternate tank would be needed if it plans to repair the existing reservoir, over which stands the famed Hanging Gardens.
Following its inspection in June 2024, the team had suggested constructing an alternate tank. The BMC then asked it to assess the feasibility of fixing the reservoir without building another tank and how water could be supplied in such a case.
This is the fourth report on the subject. An interim report from Jan 2023, submitted by four independent experts from an eight-member panel formed by the BMC in Oct 2023 to check the need for reconstruction of the reservoir, suggested that the same could be repaired without disrupting water supply.
The final report in Feb 2024 by a few other members of the same committee, though, stated a phase-wise reconstruction of the tanks would not be possible without affecting supply unless a new tank is built. The BMC then decided to take an opinion from IIT Roorkee, which recommended constructing an alternative tank of 52 MLD (million litres per day) capacity until completion of repairs. Not convinced, the BMC asked the team to reassess their recommendation. However, yet again, they have emphasised that an alternate tank would be needed. Additional municipal commissioner (projects) Abhijit Bangar said while IIT Roorkee has recommended an alternative tank, clarity is still needed regarding its capacity.
The reservoir has a storage capacity of 147 MLD and a usable capacity of 80 MLD in one go. It caters to a population of 1 million by providing 240 MLD of water in 3 shifts.