Mumbai's Dharavi to lose 403 trees for sewage plant

MUMBAI: The BMC has published a public notice for removal of 403 trees in Dharavi for construction of Dharavi wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) under its mumbai sewage disposal project (MSDP).
Out of 403 trees, 271 trees are proposed to be cut and 132 to be transplanted. Under section 8(3) (C) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection & Preservation of Trees Act 1975, proposals with regards to tree removal from any particular area are received for granting permission to the municipal commissioner who is the chairman, tree authority.
Officials said while the number of trees may look large but these are small size trees. However, during a survey they need to account for all the trees present at the site. The BMC is constructing a 418mld wastewater treatment facility across a 5ha area.
The tender for it was invited on design build operate (DBO) basis in which the operation and maintenance of 15 years is included. An official from the MSDP department said, "There is a need to recycle and reuse treated wastewater for non-potable and industrial purposes. The project is currently at the preliminary stage with excavation works having begun.
There is already a pumping station that is operational at the site. This will be kept as it is, while the new WWTF will be constructed." The sewage treatment plants will be set up at Dharave, Worli, Bandra, Versova, Malad, Bhandup and Ghatkopar. This will likely benefit areas like Gaondevi, Haji Ali, Prabhadevi, Dadar, Worli, Mahim, Bandra, Kherwadi, BKC, among others.