Mumbai, April 9, 2026: The Manori desalination plant project in Mumbai has successfully cleared a significant Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) hurdle, moving one step closer to execution. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) approved the project at a meeting held on March 25, 2026.
The approval, however, is not final. The proposal has been forwarded to the Union Environment Ministry (MoEFCC) for the final environmental clearance, which is mandatory before construction can begin.
The plant, promoted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be located in Manori, in Mumbai’s western suburbs. It is designed as a seawater desalination facility using Reverse Osmosis technology, initially producing 200 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water, with potential expansion to 400 MLD. The total project cost is estimated at ₹11,000 crore.
Once operational, the desalination plant will provide a reliable, climate-resilient water supply, reducing Mumbai’s dependence on monsoon-fed reservoirs and addressing the city’s growing water demand.
The CRZ approval comes with strict environmental safeguards, ensuring no disruption to marine ecology, tidal flows, or local fishing communities, and requiring compliance with mangrove protection rules.
With the final nod from the Union Ministry, construction could begin soon, with completion expected in approximately four years, making it Mumbai’s first large-scale desalination plant.
