As part of its initiative to clean and restore Powai Lake, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to issue work orders this month for diverting sewage lines and constructing a sewage treatment plant (STP). The move comes as the civic body prioritises halting the daily discharge of approximately 18 million litres of untreated sewage into the lake — a major contributor to the spread of water hyacinth and the deterioration of water quality and biodiversity.

According to Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, the work order for the sewage diversion is expected next week, while the contract for setting up a 9 million litres per day (MLD) STP is likely to be issued within 15 days. Once initiated, the entire project will take around 18 months to complete. In the interim, hyacinth removal operations will continue, with the current contract due for extension.

Bangar also confirmed that the removal of hyacinth had temporarily paused for two days due to technical issues but has since resumed. Over the past month, the BMC has increased its on-ground workforce and deployed more than five machines to accelerate the removal and transport of the invasive vegetation.

The civic action has been welcomed by environmental activists, who have been campaigning to save Powai Lake from the choking grip of water hyacinth. Activist BN Kumar stated, “The major wetland, once a source of drinking water, is now overrun by hyacinth due to unchecked sewer flow. If the BMC is moving ahead with sewage diversion, we hope the work begins without delay.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed Maharashtra’s Environment Department to take necessary steps to protect Powai Lake following complaints from environmental groups.

With a total estimated cost of Rs 900 million, the project marks a critical step in reviving one of Mumbai’s most iconic urban water bodies, ensuring its ecological and recreational value is preserved for the future.