Mumbai Completes 75-Year-Old Water Main Replacement – A Milestone for Urban Infrastructure

Mumbai completes 75‑year‑old water main replacement – a milestone for urban infrastructure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) finished the overhaul of a 2,750 mm pipeline that transports bulk water from the Tansa dam to the Bhandup water treatment plant on Tuesday, after a 28‑hour shutdown that disrupted supply to 17 administrative wards. The project, the first of its kind in the city in decades, marks a pivotal shift toward modernizing Mumbai’s aging water network.

Background/Context

With a population exceeding 20 million, Mumbai’s water demand swells to about 2,500 million litres every day. The Tansa dam – Mumbai’s principal freshwater reserve – is linked to the city through a network of high‑pressure mains, the oldest of which dates back to 1940. Over time, corrosion, repeated seismic activity, and continuous thermal cycling have weakened these pipelines, making them prone to leaks and pressure drops that threaten both residential and institutional users. The 75‑year‑old 2,750 mm main that crossed the Bhandup‑East–West corridor was the last relic of that era, representing a considerable bottleneck for bulk supply.

“The main was a legacy asset that could no longer guarantee the reliability Mumbai needed in the 21st century,” said BMC Director of Hydraulic Engineering, Ramesh Patel. “Rebuilding it was essential not only for the city’s water security but also for the long‑term health and safety of its residents.”

Key Developments

Construction began at 10 am on Monday, with crews excavating a 200 m trench that spans the entire length of the old pipe. The old main was extracted using a specialized hydraulic cutter, and a new reinforced concrete sleeve—designed to accommodate the larger 2,750 mm diameter pipe—was installed to enhance pressure handling. The replacement was completed by 2 pm on Tuesday, precisely 28 hours after the first cut, meeting the BMC’s tight timetable.

• Scale of the project: 2,750 mm diameter, 75 m length, carrying 5.6 m³/s of water.
• Wards affected: 17 local bodies, including Byculla, Parel, and Khar, experienced temporary supply cuts.
• Technical strategy: Use of trenchless technology to minimize surface disruption and accelerate recovery.
• Future phases: BMC announced a staged rollout of new large‑diameter mains across 12 key corridors over the next five years.

“We adopted trenchless methods wherever possible to keep the city’s busy streets operational,” explained Patel. “Given the high traffic density in Mumbai, that decision was both logistically and economically sound.”

Impact Analysis

For the city’s millions of residents, the replacement means higher pressure and steadier supply throughout the day. Current studies estimate a 12% increase in water flow capacity to the Bhandup treatment plant, enabling the plant to process an additional 350 million litres per day.

Students and academic institutions located near the pipeline corridor, such as the University of Mumbai’s Faculty of Engineering in Bhandup and various hostels in the western suburbs, have reported reduced water shortages in the upcoming semester. “The campus drinking fountains are now operational at peak hours,” said Aisha Gupta, a third‑year civil engineering student. “We used to face rationing during exam periods, and this upgrade removed that unpredictability.”

Moreover, the enhanced supply supports the city’s broader public health objectives. “Reliable water connectivity reduces opportunities for contamination,” noted Dr. Anil Mehta, a public health officer with the Municipal Health Department. “This reduces illness spread, especially in densely populated housing.”

Expert Insights & Tips

While the new main improves infrastructure integrity, stakeholders are advised to manage water usage responsibly. BMC’s Water Authority recommends that households adopt the “3‑Minute Rule”: turning off taps during brushing or grooming to conserve water.

Students, in particular, should:

• Monitor consumption: Use smart meters where available to track daily usage.
• Report leaks: Contact local ward offices immediately if a leak or sudden pressure drop is noted.
• Participate in community drives: Join local “Waterwise” clubs hosted by universities to spread water‑saving awareness.

“This project is a textbook case of large‑scale infrastructure modernization,” said Prof. S. R. Deshmukh, an urban planning lecturer at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. “Cities can learn from Mumbai’s systematic approach—particularly the focus on minimizing public inconvenience while executing high‑risk tasks.”

Looking Ahead

With the Tansa‑Bhandup main now replaced, the BMC has set a precedent for similar upgrades. Upcoming priority projects include:

• Replacement of the 1,200 mm Dhobi Khad water main slated for 2026.
• Installation of smart pressure‑regulation stations to preempt future failures.
• Integration of real‑time monitoring dashboards accessible to wards and emergency services.

Meanwhile, the state government is reviewing policies for “green water corridors,” encouraging the use of recycled wastewater for non‑potable applications. Such initiatives aim to create a multi‑layered water supply network that would buffer the city against future shocks, including drought or supply disruptions.

For international students planning to study in Mumbai, understanding the city’s water landscape can influence housing choices and daily habits. Universities are increasingly offering “water‑smart” dorms equipped with motion‑sensor faucets and water‑recycling units.

Experts predict that within the next decade, Mumbai could see a 30% increase in demand due to population growth and economic expansion. The ongoing modernization blueprint will likely provide the necessary scale to meet this demand without compromising quality.

Reach out to us for personalized consultation based on your specific requirements.