Pune: Tunnel Project From Khadakwasla To Fursungi Stalled; Awaits Final Nod With Environmental Clearance

Pune, 27th June 2025: The much-anticipated and ambitious Khadakwasla–Fursungi tunnel project has taken a step forward but remains stalled due to the pending environmental clearance. Although the Maharashtra Water Resources Department has submitted the proposal to the State Government, the project is yet to receive the green signal from the Central Government.

The tunnel aims to replace the existing open right bank canal of the Mutha River that runs from Khadakwasla Dam to Fursungi. The project’s goals include conserving water, reducing environmental damage, ensuring steady drinking water supply, and enhancing irrigation. A detailed survey and project report have already been initiated following the state’s preliminary approval.

Under this plan, a 28-kilometre-long tunnel is proposed between Khadakwasla and Fursungi. A tender was floated, and the contract to prepare the project report was awarded to a firm. The said firm then submitted the report to the Water Resources Department, which forwarded it to a technical advisory committee for review. Although the committee initially pointed out minor discrepancies, the revised report received a green signal from the panel.

Following this approval, the report has now been submitted to the State Government for final clearance. Once fully sanctioned, the project will move to the next stage—seeking central environmental clearance, without which work cannot commence.

Upon completion, the tunnel is expected to conserve approximately 2.8 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water—enough to supply Pune city for nearly two months. Additionally, the closed system will reduce water leakage and benefit agricultural irrigation along the route.