In a significant push towards water security, the Maharashtra government has approved dam projects worth over ₹10,000 crore aimed at improving potable water access across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Key urban centres—including Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Badlapur, and Panvel—are set to benefit from this initiative.
Central to the plan is a ₹6,394 crore dam on the Poshir River in Karjat, with a storage capacity of 12.344 TMC (thousand million cubic feet). Of this, 7.933 TMC is earmarked for drinking water and 1.859 TMC for industrial use. This allocation is expected to greatly enhance water resilience in rapidly expanding MMR nodes, particularly during the dry season.
A second dam has also been approved on the Shilar River in Karjat, with a capacity of 6.61 TMC. It will primarily supply water to Navi Mumbai and Panvel—two regions undergoing swift urbanisation and infrastructure growth.
These developments are part of a broader ₹18,842 crore investment in four major water infrastructure projects across the state. Alongside urban supply, the government is also targeting agricultural sustainability. Projects like the ₹5,329 crore Sulwade Jamphal Kanoli lift irrigation scheme in Dhule and the ₹2,250 crore Aruna irrigation project in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri aim to irrigate over 40,000 hectares of farmland.
Experts welcome the diversification of water sources through lesser-tapped rivers like Poshir and Shilar, reducing pressure on overburdened catchments such as Bhatsa and Vaitarna. However, they urge caution, highlighting the need for thorough environmental assessments, sustainable dam design, and community involvement.
As Maharashtra shifts towards climate-resilient and equitable development, these water projects mark a vital step in strengthening long-term urban and rural water governance.
Source: Urban Acres
