After more than four decades of uncertainty, a major irrigation and water supply project in Maharashtra’s Konkan region has finally moved a step closer to reality. The state government has approved the transfer of 263 hectares of forest land to the Water Resources Department, clearing a long-pending environmental bottleneck that had stalled the Sambar Kund dam project in Alibag taluka since the 1980s.
Originally sanctioned in 1982, the project was conceived to address recurring water shortages and expand irrigation coverage across agricultural lands in Alibag. Despite being considered vital for local agrarian stability and rural livelihoods, the initiative was delayed repeatedly due to regulatory, land acquisition, and environmental clearance issues — particularly concerning forest land diversion. Officials from the Forest Department confirmed that the approval for diverting the forest area was granted by the central government earlier this month. Following this, formal orders for the land transfer were issued on 6 November 2025, paving the way for the project’s construction phase to resume.
Once complete, the Sambar Kund medium irrigation project is expected to bring around 4,314 hectares of farmland under assured irrigation and improve water availability in 24 surrounding villages. The dam, which will be approximately 730 metres long and 38.78 metres high, is designed to store nearly 49.85 million cubic metres of water. This will not only stabilise agriculture but also support drinking water needs in the region. According to project officials, the construction contract has been awarded to a Pune-based firm, with an estimated cost of around ₹2,000 crore. Two main canal systems are also planned under the scheme to distribute water efficiently across the command area.
To ensure equitable development, the rehabilitation of displaced families has been prioritised. Around 300 homes are proposed to be built on a 16-hectare resettlement site at Rajewadi village near Ramraj. Authorities have stated that the compensation process for affected landowners is being reviewed following demands for a revised payout structure. Experts highlight that the revival of the Sambar Kund project could play a critical role in improving climate resilience in Konkan, a region facing erratic rainfall patterns and rising water stress due to urban expansion and tourism-related demand. Sustainable water management, they note, is crucial for balancing the area’s ecological sensitivity with its developmental aspirations.
As Maharashtra accelerates rural irrigation works under its broader water conservation mission, the long-delayed Alibag project marks a significant move towards equitable water distribution and agricultural sustainability in the coastal belt.
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