The construction of the Urse barrage on the Surya River in Palghar district remains incomplete despite repeated extensions, raising concerns among local residents over a project intended to support drinking water and irrigation needs in the region.
The barrage is one of five Konkan-style chain barrages planned on the Surya River across the limits of Ghol, Ambivli, Urse, Chinchare and Gargao villages. Construction began in January 2021, with the Palghar Irrigation Department originally setting a 36-month deadline ending in January 2024.
According to the report, work on four of the five barrages — at Ghol, Chinchare, Ambivli and Gargao — has been completed within the planned period. The Urse project, however, remains unfinished. Residents have alleged that the contractor, J.G. Champanerkar, has repeatedly delayed completion despite receiving extensions.
The report said construction has generally resumed at the beginning of May each year and stopped in June before the monsoon. This seasonal work pattern has contributed to delays in completing the structure within the original schedule, according to the account published by Loksatta – Palghar.
The Urse barrage has received an approved allocation of Rs 16.64 crore from the Palghar Irrigation Department. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority had directed that the work be completed by June 30, 2026. Residents are now demanding that the contractor be removed and that the remaining work be assigned to a new agency.
The five-barrage scheme was developed in the context of continuing water-supply and irrigation concerns in rural areas of Palghar district, including parts of Dahanu, Vikramgad and Palghar talukas. The scheme was also linked to the supply of water to Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar. Local residents had previously opposed the diversion of water from the Surya Dam project to urban areas and organised protests through the Pani Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.
The five barrages have received total financial assistance of Rs 70.40 crore from the MMRDA. Once completed, they are expected to create a combined storage capacity of 2.29 million cubic metres in the Surya riverbed. The stored water is intended to help raise groundwater levels, reduce summer drinking-water shortages and support agriculture along the river. The barrage walls are also expected to provide alternative crossings between villages on both sides of the river.
Sachin Patil, executive engineer of the Palghar Irrigation Department, said he would visit the incomplete structure personally to assess the site and identify the reasons for the delay. He said instructions would be issued to the contractor to complete the work on priority after the monsoon.
