Work Begins on Ambitious Khadakwasla-Phursungi Tunnel Project in Pune
Pune, 15th October 2025: The long-awaited Khadakwasla-Phursungi tunnel project has finally taken off, with construction work commencing at Uruli Deochi in the first phase following approval from the Union Environment Ministry.
The project, aimed at saving water, preventing environmental damage, and ensuring adequate supply for drinking and irrigation, involves constructing a 28-kilometer tunnel between Khadakwasla Dam and Fursungi. The plan includes closing the existing right canal and replacing it with the tunnel to improve water efficiency.
“This project has also received in-principle approval from the state government. A detailed survey and project report were prepared, which was reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Water Resources Department. Minor errors were corrected before the committee gave the final approval,” said officials involved in the project.
Once completed, the tunnel is expected to save about 2.8 billion cubic feet (TMC) of water, sufficient to meet Pune’s water needs for two months. The project will also reduce water leakage and enhance water availability for agriculture.
The state government’s initial delay in approving the project pushed the proposal to the central government, which took five months to grant clearance. Construction has now been handed over to a Hyderabad-based company, with the project expected to be completed within two and a half years.
The Khadakwasla-Phursungi tunnel is seen as a crucial step in addressing Pune’s growing water needs and improving the city’s water management infrastructure.
