Construction-site pipes discharging onto Juhu beach reappear days after removal, says marine ecologist

Pipes discharging water from construction sites have reappeared on Juhu beach. It is alleged that the water is being released directly onto the shore, raising fresh concern about harm to marine life. The pipes had been removed a few days ago, but they have now been spotted at another stretch of the beach.

Marine ecologist Shaunak Modi reported the matter. Modi is director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation and founder of Marine Life of Mumbai. He said pipes have also been reconnected at the earlier location.

On November 4, Modi posted photographs and videos on X. They showed water flowing into the sea through pipes near the Little Italy restaurant on Juhu Tara Road. He wrote, "Like the heads of Medusa, another head has sprung up. It is a few hundred metres from the previous one. @mybmcwardKW, please act on this construction site too. The site is on Juhu Tara Road, opposite the Little Italy restaurant."

Modi said he was shocked to see water coming out of the pipes onto the beach. At the first site, three pipes were connected to a stormwater drain and water was flowing onto the beach through them. About 250 metres away, another set of three pipes was releasing water from a nearby construction site. The two sites are about 250 metres apart on the same stretch of Juhu Tara Road.

The BMC's K West ward replied to the post at 6.26 pm on November 4. The ward said the complaint had been forwarded to the department concerned. At 6.31 pm, Modi asked the ward for a complaint number. He also wrote that the pipes had been put back at the first site, and posted photographs from there. At 2.08 pm on November 5, the ward replied that the complaint had been registered on the BMC's MARG portal. The MARG complaint number is KW_202600164716.

The matter is not new. Modi first warned about the discharge on X on October 24. He said it could harm marine life and damage the coastal ecosystem. On October 26, it was reported that a construction site was alleged to have been releasing muddy water and slush onto Juhu beach and into the sea for several days. Concern was raised about marine pollution and damage to the coastal ecosystem.

That discharge had eroded more than a foot of sand from the beach. A large part of the beach was covered in fine silt. This sediment can settle on organisms living on the seabed and reduce the clarity of the water, which can worsen the environmental impact. The pipes were removed after that. Their reappearance at two locations has renewed concern that discharge onto the beach is continuing.