APCO Wins Ghatkopar – Bhandup Water Tunnel’s Contract in Mumbai

APCO Infratech earlier this month was declared as the lowest bidder to construct a new water conveyance tunnel between Ghatkopar Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and Bhandup Complex by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai.

This 11.61 long tunnel will supply water to the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, while the existing network of pipelines will be utilized as a back-up. TATA Consulting Engineers (TCE) has been engaged by BMC as the project’s design consultant.

The project involves the construction of 2 tunnels. On the north-side, a 4.365 km long tunnel will connect Bhandup Complex and Bhandup Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). On the south-side, a 7.245 km tunnel will connect Bhandup WWTF to Ghatkopar WWTF.

Two extremely deep shafts with a diameter of 12m will be built at Bhandup Complex (155m deep) and Bhandup WWTF (104m deep) by drilling and controlled blasting method with reinforced concrete supporting arrangement such as circular well/secant piling etc.

BMC requires the use of at least one full face rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) to construct its 4.1m diameter tunnel between Ghatkopar WWTF – Bhandup WWTF – Bhandup Complex. The construction of Ghatkopar WWTF’s shaft is part of a separate contract (Dharavi – Ghatkopar) – more details are at the bottom of my post.

BMC had invited bids for this package (Contract GBBT) in June 2024 with an unknown estimate and 6 year construction deadline, canceled that tender and re-invited bids again in July.

Technical bids were opened on August 2 to to reveal 2 bidders – APCO Infratech & Afcons Infrastructure, and their financial bids were opened on August 7.

Financial Bid Values

Firm	Bid (Rs. Crore)
APCO Infratech	3216.00
Afcons Infra	3279.33

BMC’s Brief Scope: Design and Construction of Tertiary Treated Conveyance Tunnel from Ghatkopar WWTF to Bhandup Complex

BMC’s estimate remains unknown to me, so I can’t provide an assessment on the chances of a contract getting issued. I don’t actively track water projects as extensively as metro rail and expressways, but I’ll set a reminder to check with my contacts in a couple months from now to see what happened.

This tunnel is part of a larger water supply project, with another 8.485 km km tunnel planned to connect Ghatkopar WWTF and Dharavi WWTF. The current date for opening that tender’s technical bids is August 29, so stay tuned!

Back in May 2024, APCO won another contract for constructing a 14.1 km long tunnel from Yewai Master Balancing Reservoir to Kasheli (Bhiwandi) – see details here. While it’s entirely possible that a LOA has been issued, I haven’t heard or read about that happening.

For more updates, check out the Tunnels section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG