Mumbai’s First Desalination Plant Sparks Fishing Village Outcry

Manori, a fishing village in north Mumbai, saw residents gather on its rocky shore in January after officials announced a site inspection for the city’s first desalination plant. The plant, which will occupy 29 hectares of suburban land, is planned to produce 200 million litres of drinking water per day in its first phase and is expected to serve up to 15 lakh people by December 2029. The project has drawn criticism from local fishermen who fear sea erosion, pollution and a decline in fish catch, citing similar impacts observed at Chennai’s Nemmeli plant. The BMC has begun geotechnical work, including a soil survey, as it prepares to meet the rising water demand amid an El Nino‑driven drought. The plant will use reverse osmosis technology and will discharge brine through a pipe fitted with diffusers. The Rs 4,077‑crore contract was awarded to a joint venture of IDE Technologies and GVPR Engineers Limited in December 2025. The BMC also earmarked land in Versova for a second 200 MLD plant, with the two facilities projected to add 600 MLD to Mumbai’s supply.