The famous Bandra Talao, a lake in Bandra West, spread over 7.5 acres, has been completely emptied and dewatered. This is being done as per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) plan to restore and revive the lake. The grade II heritage lake is currently a stretch of mudflats and very high silt deposits.
According to BMC officials, dewatering and desilting mark the first phase of the lake's restoration; phase two will focus on beautification upgrades and improvements of public utility facilities around the lake.
Bandra Talao has been under severe ecological stress for years. According to a Times of India report, studies conducted for the lake’s detailed project report recorded an average biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 100 mg/litre. By comparison, a healthy lake typically has a BOD of less than 5 mg/litre. The BMC has attributed this high BOD to sewage seepage. While there is no direct inflow of sewage into the lake, it is surrounded by the city’s sewerage system.
BMC officials said that no animal species were found in the lake during dewatering. Only two dead turtles were found, and this pointed to
deterioration of the water quality. The BMC now plans to construct a 1MLD sewage treatment plant near the lake, and the treated water will be poured back into the lake to handle concerns of stagnation and poor aeration.
Senior Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar, who represents Bandra West constituency, recently surveyed the restoration work. In a post on X, he said Bandra Talao is not just any water body but a part of Bandra's identity and culture. The minister has also instructed officials to expedite work and ensure the timely completion of the project.