Sabarmati riverfront-style makeover planned for Dahisar river

MUMBAI: A Sabarmati riverfront-like makeover is planned along 4.5 km on either side of the Dahisar river as part of its rejuvenation-beautification project. Local MP and union minister Piyush Goyal announced plans for lighting, boating facilities, and eco-tourism development, with seven planned rainwater harvesting facilities within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Two fully automated sewage treatment plants were commissioned (1.5 MLD at Sukurwadi and 5 MLD at Indira Nagar); treated water (5 MLD) is currently discharged back into the river, with the BMC considering sale of water for non-potable uses. The project originated in 2014, with tenders issued in 2015, and involves boundary walls, service roads, drains, slum clearances, sewer networks, and 1,244 (now revised to 1,640) PAPs. The first phase is about 99% complete, with some encroachments causing delays. Goyal urged dredging and desilting of the Poisar and Dahisar rivers to prevent flooding. The 17-km Dahisar river originates from SGNP and joins the Arabian Sea at Manori Creek; historically it had clean water and was a filming site for Baiju Bawra (1952).

The first tenders for the project were issued in 2015 as part of the ₹246-crore plan including boundary walls, service roads, drains, and sewer works.

The Dahisar river rejuvenation and beautification project was formally conceptualised in 2014 with a presentation made to the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.