BMC Issues Rs 23.7 Bn Tender for Deonar Waste Cleanup

22 May 2025 CW Team

The project will focus on the bioremediation of 18.5 million tonnes of legacy waste and the disposal of excavated, processed, and segregated materials. The initiative is expected to reclaim approximately 110 hectares (272 acres) of land at Deonar.

The contract will span three years, including time for mobilisation and monsoon delays, and work will commence upon the issuance of a letter of acceptance or service order.

The timing of the tender is significant, as 124 acres of the 311-acre Deonar site were allocated in October 2024 to the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) for the construction of rental homes for residents not eligible for free housing in Dharavi. This decision has sparked controversy, given the site’s status as an active landfill emitting toxic gases.

Civil society groups have raised concerns about the timing and financial implications of the tender. The Watchdog Foundation has called for an immediate halt to the process, questioning the use of public funds for a project that may ultimately benefit a private redevelopment scheme.

“Bioremediation is welcome, but why is BMC spending Rs 23.68 billion of taxpayers’ money on land already handed to a private developer?” asked advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation. The group has demanded a full review and independent inquiry into the decision.

Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), defended the initiative, stating that both the Mulund and Deonar sites hold vast quantities of legacy waste—Mulund with 6 million tonnes and Deonar with 20 million tonnes.

“Biomining is a statutory obligation. Regardless of the DRP, we must clean the land as per state government directives,” he said. “At Mulund, we’ve been working for six years and expect to reclaim 60 acres. Now, our focus is on Deonar.”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a major tender worth Rs 23.68 billion for the remediation of legacy waste at the Deonar dumping ground—infamously dubbed “Mount Garbage” due to waste piling as high as a 12-storey building. The project, one of the largest solid waste management initiatives in recent years, aims to clear decades-old waste from one of Mumbai’s oldest landfill sites.The project will focus on the bioremediation of 18.5 million tonnes of legacy waste and the disposal of excavated, processed, and segregated materials. The initiative is expected to reclaim approximately 110 hectares (272 acres) of land at Deonar.The contract will span three years, including time for mobilisation and monsoon delays, and work will commence upon the issuance of a letter of acceptance or service order.The timing of the tender is significant, as 124 acres of the 311-acre Deonar site were allocated in October 2024 to the Adani Group-led Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) for the construction of rental homes for residents not eligible for free housing in Dharavi. This decision has sparked controversy, given the site’s status as an active landfill emitting toxic gases.Civil society groups have raised concerns about the timing and financial implications of the tender. The Watchdog Foundation has called for an immediate halt to the process, questioning the use of public funds for a project that may ultimately benefit a private redevelopment scheme.“Bioremediation is welcome, but why is BMC spending Rs 23.68 billion of taxpayers’ money on land already handed to a private developer?” asked advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation. The group has demanded a full review and independent inquiry into the decision.Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), defended the initiative, stating that both the Mulund and Deonar sites hold vast quantities of legacy waste—Mulund with 6 million tonnes and Deonar with 20 million tonnes.“Biomining is a statutory obligation. Regardless of the DRP, we must clean the land as per state government directives,” he said. “At Mulund, we’ve been working for six years and expect to reclaim 60 acres. Now, our focus is on Deonar.”

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..