Water From Mulshi Dam For Pune? Government Pushes For Access Amid Shortage
Pune, 4th March 2025: The long-standing demand to draw water from the Mulshi Dam to supply Pune city and surrounding villages is gaining traction, with the state government now taking proactive steps to address the issue. While the dam is owned by Tata Power, which has posed challenges in accessing its water, the government is exploring solutions to overcome these obstacles.
A high-level meeting is set to take place during the upcoming session, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar discussing the challenges and possible measures for securing water from the dam. A structured plan with a defined timeline is expected to emerge from the discussions. If implemented successfully, this initiative could resolve the growing water scarcity in Pune and nearby villages.
The issue was recently raised in a Canal Committee meeting by MLAs, highlighting the increasing pressure on existing water resources due to Pune’s rapid urbanization. Currently, the city receives water from the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon, and Temghar dams, while the Khadakwasla Dam also supplies agricultural water to Daund, Indapur, and Haveli talukas. In recent years, the Bhama Askhed Dam has also contributed to Pune’s water supply. However, with no available land to construct new dams in the district, alternative solutions have become necessary.
Given this scenario, Mulshi Dam has emerged as a viable option. Built during the British era, the dam has a total storage capacity of approximately 18.50 TMC and is primarily used for hydroelectric power generation.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been advocating for utilizing Mulshi Dam’s water resources. Over the past year, he has chaired multiple meetings with Tata Power and the Water Resources Department to explore the feasibility of the project.
To cater to the growing water demand in the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) area, including Mulshi taluka, Pawar has directed the Revenue Department to consider increasing the height of the dam with a long-term perspective of the next 30 years. However, the monsoon season and Assembly Elections delayed the commencement of survey work, which is now expected to begin soon.
Approximately 80% of the land that would be submerged due to the dam’s expansion belongs to Tata Power, while the remaining 20% will need to be acquired by the government. The state has assured fair compensation to affected landowners, though exact figures will only be determined once a detailed project report is prepared.
With the government’s renewed focus and ongoing discussions, the prospect of drawing water from the Mulshi Dam for Pune and surrounding villages is closer to becoming a reality. The upcoming meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for a solution that could significantly improve the region’s water security.
