Pune: Khadakwasla–Fursungi Tunnel Project Gains Pace, Aims to Curb Water Loss; Expected to Save 2.5 TMC Water
Khadakwasla, 12th February 2026: Work on a major underground water tunnel linking Khadakwasla dam to Fursungi has accelerated, with authorities projecting significant gains in water conservation and irrigation efficiency once the project is completed.
The Rs 2,200-crore initiative aims to tackle long-standing issues associated with the existing open canal system, including leakage, theft, evaporation, and contamination. By shifting water transport underground, officials expect a more secure and efficient distribution network for the region.
Tunnel excavation is currently underway at four key points, Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Wadachiwadi, and Uruli Devachi, using sophisticated Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), commonly called “boomers.” In the past two months alone, nearly one kilometre of tunnelling has been completed. Each machine can bore up to eight metres per day, significantly speeding up construction.
The full stretch from Khadakwasla to Fursungi measures 34 kilometres, of which 28 kilometres will run through an underground tunnel. The Water Resources Department floated tenders totaling Rs 1,600 crore for the tunnelling component, and the contract was awarded to Megha Engineers.
Officials estimate the project will help conserve around 2.5 TMC of water that would otherwise be lost through seepage and evaporation. Additionally, the improved delivery system is expected to bring 3,472 hectares of extra agricultural land under irrigation.
The enclosed tunnel will also reduce pollution risks, a persistent issue in open canal systems exposed to human and industrial activities.
The tunnel is being built with a 6.3-metre diameter D-shaped design and will carry water at a capacity of 41 cubic metres per second. Engineers have planned the alignment to run roughly 90 metres behind the dam wall and 18 metres below the reservoir bed, allowing water to flow entirely by gravity, without the need for pumping.
Following environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, groundwork began two months ago. The project is scheduled for completion within three years.
Authorities also indicated that additional excavation points at Katraj, Wadki, and Loni Kalbhor are expected to become operational soon, further accelerating progress.
Once finished, the underground canal system is expected to mark a significant transformation in Pune district’s water management, ensuring cleaner, more efficient, and loss-minimised water transport for both urban and agricultural needs.
