In August 2021, The Times of India reported that the BJP wanted a federal environmental study of the planned BMC desalination plant for Mumbai. Writing to Bhupendra Yadav, the Union environment minister, MLA Ashish Shelar sought a report within two months on likely effects on the coastline and on greener options. The 200 MLD (200,000 m³/day) plant at Manori was budgeted at Rs 1,600 crore and targeted for 2025. In June, the BMC had signed an MoU with IDE Water Technologies for a project report due by May 2022.
The report showed how the first planned desalination plant in Maharashtra became a political issue early on, with concerns focused on possible effects on the marine environment off the coast.
Source: The Times of India