BMC Seeks Extension for Mulund Dumping Ground Biomining Project
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration has submitted a proposal to the Standing Committee seeking approval for a 216-day extension of the biomining and remediation contract at the Mulund dumping ground. The proposed extension would keep the agreement with M/s Bio Mining India Pvt Ltd in force until April 19, 2027.
The civic body requested the extension after discovering an additional 7 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at the Mulund site that requires processing. While the contractor has already processed the 70 lakh MT covered under the initial scope of work, a subsequent contour survey and site assessment identified the extra waste.
Processing the additional volume at the existing contractual rate of Rs 798 per MT is estimated to cost the civic body approximately Rs 55.86 crore.
The original six-year contract, approved in June 2018, had previously been extended because of disruptions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, cyclones, heavy rainfall, and fuel shortages. Under the prior revision, the contract tenure was scheduled to end on May 27, 2026.
The BMC administration has recommended retaining the current contractor rather than initiating a new bidding process, stating that floating a fresh tender would cause delays and raise project expenditure. It also noted that the existing rate of Rs 798 per MT remains lower than prevailing market rates for similar biomining work.
Project management consultant May Mitcon Consultancy and Engineering Services Ltd reported that the additional waste can be handled using the contractor's existing machinery, manpower, and infrastructure, describing the continuation of the arrangement as economically beneficial and in the public interest.
Additionally, a technical assessment conducted by KPMG Advisory Services Pvt Ltd calculated the contractor's average processing capacity at 3,240 MT per day. Based on that productivity rate, the assessment determined that clearing the additional 7 lakh MT of legacy waste will require approximately 216 days.
