BMC may extend bidding deadline for 200-MLD desalination plant at Versova

To cater to Mumbai’s burgeoning water needs, the BMC has charted plans to develop two 200 MLD desalination plants in the city. A desalination plant is an industrial facility that extracts and treats the saline and mineral components of seawater, rendering it suitable for human consumption and irrigation purposes.

The first desalination plant was mooted in 2019, and a land parcel spanning 12 hectares was earmarked in Manori for it. Even as the proposal has remained in limbo for years, the proposal for a second desalination plant, over a 7-hectare land parcel in Versova, was floated in August 2025.

According to senior civic officials, the desalination plant in Versova will be constructed on the design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model, wherein the entire project work will be undertaken by the concessionaire, following which the civic body will purchase the water from the concessionaire.

Officials said that at least six bidders expressed interest in developing the 200 MLD plant in Versova during a pre-bid meeting. However, the civic body is eyeing to extend the deadline owing to demands for more time from bidders.

“Unlike the first plant, which is being executed by the BMC from its own budget, we planned a DBFOT model for the second plant. Since the concessionaire will be tasked with all works ranging from design to building to financing, the scope of the project is much wider. Therefore, we are likely to extend the expression-of-interest deadline to give the concessionaire more time to chart the plans, carry out testing of waters, etc,” an official told The Indian Express.

The concessionaire will be tasked with conducting feasibility studies, environmental impact assessment, designing detailed engineering plans, constructing the desalination facility, as well as installing the pre-treatment and reverse osmosis systems. For a defined period, the project will also be operated and maintained by the contractor.

Frontrunner for Manori plant
Meanwhile, the desalination plant in Manori—which has remained in limbo for several years—is set to see a big boost with the BMC likely to finalise the bids by this month. At present, GVPR, a joint venture between GVPR and ID, has emerged as the frontrunner for developing the Manori plant.

“However, the cost quoted by the lowest bidder was 26 per cent higher. For the past one month, we have been negotiating the pricing with the agency. However, we are likely to finalise the contract in the next couple of weeks,” said an official.

GVPR was among four bidders that had submitted bids to execute work on the city’s first-ever desalination plant.
The city’s resources are now able to supply 3,950 MLD of water daily, as against the actual demand of 4,505 MLD of water per day. The two desalination plants form a part of the civic body’s plans to meet Mumbai’s rising water demand, which is projected to touch 6,535 MLD by 2041.