Pune: Ujani Dam Private Fishing Contract Tender Cancelled After Fishermen’s Opposition
Pune, 5th October 2026: The Maharashtra Water Resources Department has decided to cancel the e-tender process initiated for awarding a private fishing contract at Ujani Dam. The decision was taken during a meeting held in Mumbai on Monday in the presence of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
The move comes after traditional fishermen from the Ujani Dam region strongly opposed the proposed private contract, stating that it could adversely affect their livelihoods. Fishing in the Ujani reservoir is a major source of income for thousands of traditional fishing families in the surrounding areas.
Fishermen’s organisations, including those from Indapur taluka, the Maharashtra State Fishermen’s Struggle Action Committee and the Ujani Fishermen Protection Campaign, had opposed the tender process. They had also staged a protest outside the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune demanding its cancellation.
The fishermen had raised the issue with Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane and urged the government to protect their traditional fishing rights. As part of their agitation, the organisations had also warned of a ‘Thali Bajao’ protest outside the Pune District Collector’s Office on October 6.
Following the protests, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. The meeting was attended virtually by Harshavardhan Patil, MLA Abhijit Patil, MLA Samadhan Autade, former MLA Sanjay Shinde, Principal Secretary Eknath Dawale, Krishna Valley Development Corporation Executive Director S.D. Chopade and Pune Division Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department Pravin Kolhe, along with other officials.
The meeting concluded with a decision to cancel the private fishing contract tender process at Ujani Dam. Officials have also been directed to take the necessary further action.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane said the decision was taken after considering the demands of fishermen and the livelihood concerns of thousands of families dependent on traditional fishing at Ujani Dam.
“The fishing business of thousands of traditional fishermen families at Ujani Dam is their primary source of livelihood. Considering their demand and livelihood concerns, the decision has been taken to cancel the private fishing contract process,” Bharane said.
The cancellation is expected to provide relief to traditional fishermen who had expressed concern that private contracting could restrict or negatively impact their existing fishing activities.
