Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has responded to local opposition to the reconstruction of the Malabar Hill Water Reservoir by instructing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to establish a technical assessment committee. This committee will include professors from IIT (Bombay), BMC engineers, and local residents with technical expertise. Its primary task is to evaluate the reservoir and decide whether it should be repaired or demolished. The controversy arose due to the reconstruction plan's potential impact on trees and opposition from residents. This committee's diverse composition and its technical assessment will play a crucial role in determining the reservoir's fate, balancing historical preservation with contemporary needs.
In response to strong opposition from local residents regarding the reconstruction of the Malabar Hill Water Reservoir beneath Kamala Nehru Park (Hanging Gardens), Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has instructed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to establish a committee for a technical assessment of the reservoir.
This committee, according to officials, is expected to include professors from IIT (Bombay), BMC engineers, and individuals from the community who possess expertise in technical matters. After conducting the evaluation, the committee will determine whether the reservoir should undergo repair or be demolished.
According to sources, the committee will consist of three IIT professors appointed by the IIT director, BMC engineers, including DMC (special engineering) Chandradhar Kandalkar, and two to three local residents with engineering and architecture knowledge.
The civic body's plan to reconstruct the reservoir, which would involve the removal of 189 trees and the transplantation of 200 more, has faced criticism from the affluent neighbourhood’s residents. While the BMC has temporarily halted the reconstruction plan due to mounting opposition, reports from the civic body indicate that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has recommended the construction of a new water supply facility to ensure uninterrupted water distribution.
In a meeting on September 26, Lodha had asked residents to nominate members for a steering committee that would collaborate with the BMC to devise alternative solutions to the proposed plan.
It must be noted that the committee formed on Tuesday differs from the previous one in terms of composition and purpose. The earlier committee primarily included residents working with civic officials to explore alternative solutions. The committee formed this week however will focus on conducting a technical examination of the reservoir.
The Malabar Hill reservoir, one of the first artificial water reservoirs designed to meet the regular water needs of the island city, is situated beneath Kamala Nehru Park (Hanging Gardens) in Malabar Hill. It has the capacity to supply 150 million litters per day (MLD) and was strategically located at an elevated position in Malabar Hill, one of Mumbai's highest points, to enhance water pressure using natural gravitational force.
In conclusion, the Malabar Hill Water Reservoir reconstruction issue stands as a poignant example of the delicate balance between preserving historical infrastructure and meeting the contemporary needs of a growing city. The directive by Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha to create a committee for a technical evaluation represents a significant step in addressing the concerns of local residents who have fervently opposed the reconstruction. The diverse composition of the committee, which includes experts from IIT (Bombay), BMC engineers, and community members with technical knowledge, reflects a comprehensive approach to the decision-making process. Their findings will ultimately determine whether the reservoir is to be repaired or demolished, a verdict that will significantly impact the local landscape and water supply infrastructure.
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