The Maharashtra government has set a target of making the Gargai Dam project in Palghar district operational by May 2029, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directing officials to expedite construction and allied works during a high-level review meeting.
Chairing the meeting on Monday, Fadnavis said the ambitious water infrastructure project has been placed on a fast-track schedule to strengthen Mumbai’s long-term water security. He instructed officials to accelerate construction while ensuring timely completion of rehabilitation and afforestation activities associated with the project.
The proposed Gargai Dam, located in the Western Ghats in Palghar district, is estimated to cost Rs 3,065 crore. The project is expected to augment Mumbai’s water supply and meet the growing demand of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
According to officials, approximately 844 hectares of land will be affected by the project, including 186 hectares of private land and 658 hectares of forest land. The total submergence area is estimated at around 805 hectares.
The Chief Minister was informed that several mandatory approvals required for the project have already been secured. These include clearances from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the National Committee on Seismic Design Standards, technical approvals for the project design and environmental clearances.
Officials also informed the Chief Minister that the proposal is currently awaiting approval from the National Board for Wildlife, which is one of the remaining statutory clearances required before the project moves into its next phase.
During the meeting, Fadnavis directed officials to speed up rehabilitation measures for affected families, compensatory afforestation and all construction-related activities to ensure the project remains on schedule for its May 2029 completion target.
Apart from reviewing the Gargai Dam project, the Chief Minister also assessed the progress of the proposed Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) township.
He instructed officials to immediately approve the development plans of villages falling within the NAINA region and directed them to rectify pending errors in land records. Fadnavis also asked the administration to expedite the distribution of property cards to villagers, enabling smoother implementation of development plans in the area.
The Gargai Dam project is considered one of Maharashtra’s key long-term infrastructure initiatives and is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing water availability for Mumbai while supporting the region’s future urban growth.
Source: The Times of India
