MUMBAI-WIDE MAP OF WASTE DUMPING SITES
The approximate quantity of solid waste generated in Mumbai is over 9400 metric tonnes/day (MTPD). This waste is separately collected in categories that are in terms of types and quantity of waste generated.
Urban solid waste contains biodegradable, non biodegradable, construction, demolition and hazardous waste. The major metropolises all over the country are facing the problem of solid waste disposal. The dumping of garbage poses health hazards as it is a breeding ground for diseases-causing pathogens. It also aggravates air pollution, groundwater pollution and soil pollution affecting the fragile ecosystem.
This map shows that currently, the garbage from all over the city is collected and is treated at Kanjur processing site using Bio-methanation Technology and rest is disposed off at the 2 dumping sites in Deonar and Mulund by simply dumping on the site.
Generally, museums and exhibitions are known to be closed off, box like spaces which have a certain quality of light complimenting its exhibits. This light quality is usually achieved by using artificial light systems, even during daylight. My imagination of a museum then came through this question, “Can the building itself be designed in such a way that it could afford this experience of light by using natural light?”
MUMBAI-WIDE MAP OF SEWERAGE ZONES AND TREATMENT PLANTS
Mumbai is divided in seven sewerage zones, two in the city and five in the suburbs, for collection, conveyance and disposal of sewage. The seven zones are Colaba, Worli, Bandra, Versova, Malad, Ghatkopar and Bhandup. The sewage from Colaba, Worli and Bandra is disposed of into the sea through marine outfalls. The sewage from the neighboring service areas is disposed of into creeks after treatment. The discharge of wastewater along the coastline has polluted seawater at beaches, seafronts, coasts and creeks.
MUMBAI-WIDE MAP OF SEWAGE AND STORMWATER OUTFALLS
Mumbai’s storm water drainage system (SWDS) was originally designed in 1860 when the British ruled India, to carry a run off resulting from 25 mm rainfall.
This city is lined on the west by Arabian Sea and intercepted by a number of creeks. The tidal variation is a major concern in the system of storm water drains to release rainwater as well as wastewater into sea. In addition to stormwater, the drains also carry sewage overflow from septic tanks, surface water, etc. Length of open storm water drainage in Mumbai is about 1987 km. The flow from the open drainage is discharged either into nallas, creeks or sea. This map shows all the major outfalls of sewage and stormwater in the city.
SEWAGE AND STORMWATER OUTFALLS ON THE SITE
The map above talks about the various drains and nallas which are part of the site. In eastern suburbs, 14 out-falls discharge in Thane creek, while 6 discharge in Mahul creek and 8 into Mithi river.
The section profiles show that the entire drainage system of Mumbai has been planned according to the natural slopes of the terrain in order to facilitate the easy flow of sewage and stormwater.
LONG SECTION
To understand the site further, we cut a long section throughout the site.
WADALA SETTLEMENT
Starting with the Wadala Settlement on the left, we studied the overall situation of all the settlements existing on the eastern waterfront. Almost half of all the settlements are not recognized by the government. Lack of government recognition, also referred to as “non-notified status” in the Indian context, may create entrenched barriers to legal rights and basic services such as water, sanitation and security of tenure. Non-notified status also prevents the development of sewer infrastructure in KB. As a result, excreta from the pay-for-use toilet blocks in KB empties directly into the adjacent ocean. KB’s ocean water has a high fecal bacteria count in all seasons, and given that 31 per cent of residents report flooding of their homes with ocean water during the monsoon, much of the community is exposed to this excreta. Lack of government recognition also compromises solid waste collection. As a result, residents have disposed of garbage in the surrounding ocean for the past few decades, and KB is now encompassed by a giant mass of refuse extending several meters out into the ocean at low tide.
SALT PANS
The location of these salt pans is important because they act as natural barriers to prevent flooding in Mumbai. Along with mangroves, salt pans hold the seawater from entering the city and stop flooding. However, salt pans in Mahul are being contaminated by the discharge from an oil refinery in the vicinity.
MAHUL SRA BUILDINGS
Mahul, the former fishing village to the east of India’s great metropolis is home to 30,000 people who were “rehabilitated” after their slum homes were demolished to make way for infrastructure projects. They live in 72 seven-storey buildings jammed together in the shadow of oil refineries, power stations and fertilizer plants. The air is pungent with the strong smell of chemicals. Sewage overflows into narrow streets. With the nearest government hospital seven miles away, masked patients stand in obedient lines outside homeopathy clinics, coughing. Mahul is surrounded by heavy industries and Chemical factories. This area is “critically” polluted, according to India’s central pollution control board.