Mumbai: Sewage disposal project to be delayed further?

In a blow to the already-delayed Municipal Sewage Disposal Project 2, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to discontinue the services of the consultant it had appointed to prepare a design report for the project.

In a blow to the already-delayed Municipal Sewage Disposal Project 2, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to discontinue the services of the consultant it had appointed to prepare a design report for the project.

The contract with the consultant expired in April. This could further delay the project. While the deadline for the waste water treatment facility was 2015, work has not even started.

Under the MSDP-2, the BMC has proposed the upgradation of existing sewage plants and the construction of new ones in Colaba, Worli, Bandra, Versova, Malad, Ghatkopar and Bhandup. “If these plants become operational, the quantity of untreated sewage will be reduced,” said an officer.

Last week, additional municipal commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee ordered the cancellation of the contract with Ms Mott Macdonald consortium.

The consultant was appointed in 2005 to prepare a detailed project report – also called the basis of design report – for the upgradation of and construction of waste water treatment plants.

A source from the MSDP department said, “Even after two extensions, the consultant failed to complete the work. The civic body has paid them Rs180 crore for consultancy work. Even if construction and upgradation starts now, it will take at least 5-10 years to be completed.”

Of the seven locations, only the treatment plant at Colaba has seen some progress, with the tendering process having been completed.

Additional municipal commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said, “Our contract with the consultant has ended. If there is confusion or doubt about the designs prepared by them, they can be called back for information. We will decide on the appointment of new consultants for the rest of the work. We will complete the work in three years.”

Pankaj Vohra of Mott Mocdanald consortium said, “There was delay in the project because of many reasons, such as environment clearance and political issues. The BMC is also responsible for the delay.”