Mumbai: In a significant move to address Mumbai’s mounting water needs, Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, who is also the Mumbai suburban guardian minister, on Monday instructed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue tenders for the Gargai Dam project within the next two months. Once completed, the dam is expected to add 440 million litres per day (MLD) to the city's water supply. “The Gargai Dam is a key solution to help bridge this deficit and support the city's rapidly growing population,” Mr. Shelar said. To expedite the process, Mr. Shelar has contacted Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav, requesting early approval of the remaining permissions. The Gargai dam project was axed by the Mahavikas Aghadi government in favour of a desalination plant at Manori.