BMC Reissues Scaled-Down Tender for Mithi River Rejuvenation Package 3, Drops Promenade Plan

Mumbai | September 5, 2025 : In a significant move to revive the stalled Mithi River Rejuvenation Project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reissued the tender for Package 3 after scaling down the scope of work. This decision comes nearly six months after the previous tender failed to attract any bidders due to high costs and rehabilitation concerns.

Budget Slashed, Promenade Plan Droppead

The newly floated tender has seen a substantial reduction in project cost—from the earlier Rs 2,394 crore to Rs 1,700 crore—after omitting key components such as the proposed 8,850-meter-long riverside promenade and associated beautification works. The number of floodgates has also been reduced from 25 to 18, further contributing to cost savings.

“A fresh tender has been issued for flood control between CST Bridge and Mahim Creek. However, plans for a 9–12 metre-wide promenade with a cycle track and walkway have been shelved for now. The focus is currently on mitigating flood risks,” said a senior civic official.

The revised five-year project is now estimated to cost Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore less than the earlier proposal. Mini pumping stations will also be installed to discharge stormwater into the river, helping to prevent high tide water from flooding low-lying areas.

Project Acceleration After Monsoon Woes

The BMC’s decision to expedite Package 3 follows severe waterlogging during this year’s monsoon, particularly on August 18, when heavy rainfall disrupted life across Kurla, Sion, and Chunabhatti—areas serviced by the Central Railway.

Earlier tenders for this phase were cancelled in March 2023 due to concerns related to rehabilitation. A revised tender issued in March 2025, even after appointing a consultant and receiving approval, saw no bidder response, prompting a rethink of the project’s priorities and budget.

Steady Progress on Other Packages

While Package 3 has faced multiple setbacks, other components of the Mithi River Rejuvenation Project are steadily progressing:

• Package 1: An 8 Million Litres Per Day (MLD) sewage treatment plant from Filter Pada to Powai, worth Rs 133 crore, has been completed.

• Package 2: Work involving construction of a retaining wall, service road, interceptor, and sewer line from WSP Compound, Powai to CST Road, Kurla is about 60% complete and expected to finish by March 2026.

• Package 4: Around 90% of tunneling work from Bapat Nalla to Safed Pool Nalla, connecting to the Dharavi Waste Water Treatment Facility, is set to be completed by December 2025.

Way Forward

The scaled-down Package 3 is expected to garner more interest from contractors, as it now focuses on essential flood-control infrastructure. Civic officials, however, hinted that the promenade plan could be revived in the future, pending funding and rehabilitation approvals.

As the city continues to grapple with recurring monsoon flooding, the BMC is under pressure to deliver tangible progress on the Mithi River Project—one of Mumbai’s most ambitious and critical urban infrastructure undertakings.