August 23, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to rehabilitate six villages affected by the Gargai Dam project, with 400 hectares of land identified near Devli village in Wada for resettlement. As part of the next phase, the civic body has begun the process of land demarcation and will appoint a consultant to oversee both this work and the wider rehabilitation effort.
The Gargai Dam project is expected to increase Mumbai’s daily water supply by 440 million litres, significantly strengthening the city’s resources. However, it directly impacts two villages—Ogda and Khodade in Wada taluka, Palghar district—necessitating the acquisition of 8.4 sq km of land.
In addition, land will be acquired from four neighbouring villages—Pachghare, Aamle, Phasgaon and Tilmal—to ensure that the catchment area is cleared of human habitation. In total, 619 families, or around 2,500 people, will be displaced. According to civic officials, land near Devli has been earmarked for their resettlement.
“A designated consultant will be responsible for precisely demarcating the land and managing the rehabilitation process,” said a senior civic official. “This will help ensure a smooth, transparent and effective transition for all affected families.
The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 3,105 crore, has received an allocation of Rs 35.51 crore in the 2025–26 civic budget. At present, Mumbai receives 3,950 million litres of water per day, against a demand of 4,463 MLD. This shortfall is compounded by a daily water loss of 34% , despite adequate reserves in existing dams.
To bridge the demand–supply gap, the BMC has revived several infrastructure initiatives, including the Gargai Dam project, which was shelved during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2019. Once operational, Gargai will become the city’s eighth water source.
Source: The Free Press Journal
