Maharashtra MSRDC Plans New Dam Near Khandala For Villages
Maharashtra MSRDC Plans New Dam Near Khandala For VillagesMaharashtra is advancing plans for a new dam near the scenic hill station of Khandala, aimed at bolstering water supply and fostering development across 71 villages. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will spearhead a comprehensive study to identify optimal water sources for this vital reservoir. This strategic initiative targets a 186.72 square kilometer area within Panvel and Khalapur talukas of Raigad district, strategically positioned along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, ensuring sustained growth and improved living conditions for the estimated 1 lakh residents.
Maharashtra’s MSRDC was appointed as the Special Planning Authority for this region in March 2016, following its previous inclusion in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area. The project area, situated approximately 45 kilometers from Mumbai and 80 kilometers from Pune, holds significant development potential. While existing water bodies like Morbe and Devloli dams, and the Patalganga River are nearby, reliable water supply to this specific area remains uncertain. Consequently, the MSRDC has decided to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the dam’s construction over the next year. A technical consultant will be appointed to assist with the bidding process and drafting of contract agreements.
Maharashtra’s officials acknowledge that the region, being partly peri-urban and partly rural, currently lacks developed water supply, sewerage, and solid waste management networks. Identifying sustainable water sources is a major task, especially as the earmarked area falls within the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats biogeographic zone. The undulating topography also presents challenges for establishing effective stormwater drainage and management systems. If constructed, this dam would mark the fifth such project in recent years within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, following the completion of the Middle Vaitarna Dam in 2014 and the anticipated completion of the Surya Dam later this year.
Maharashtra’s initiative for a new dam near Khandala signifies a crucial step towards ensuring sustainable water security and planned development in the region. This project, while facing ecological and infrastructural challenges, promises to alleviate water scarcity for numerous villages. Its successful implementation is vital for supporting population growth and fostering balanced urban-rural progress in a strategically important corridor.
