MSRDC Charts Proposed Dam Project Near Khandala to Drive Infrastructure in 71 Villages Along Mumbai-Pune Expressway
MSRDC Charts Proposed Dam Project Near Khandala to Drive Infrastructure in 71 Villages Along Mumbai-Pune Expressway
In a move set to transform the rural and peri-urban landscape along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is laying the groundwork for a major dam project near Khandala. The planned reservoir is aimed at securing a sustainable water supply for 71 villages spread across 186.72 square kilometers in Panvel and Khalapur talukas of Raigad district.
The area, once part of the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), has been under MSRDC’s jurisdiction since March 2016, when it was appointed the Special Planning Authority (SPA) by the Maharashtra government. This strategic belt, nestled between Panvel and the scenic hill station of Khandala, is situated around 45 kilometers from Mumbai and roughly 80 kilometers from Pune—placing it at the heart of two of Maharashtra’s largest urban centers.
According to Hindustan Times, an MSRDC official shared that, “Our corporation has been tasked with the responsibility of developing the 71 villages in this special planning area. The process involves creating a holistic development blueprint for the region.” According to the 2011 census, the combined population of these villages was 1,01,175, a figure that has likely grown in the years since.
Despite the proximity of the Morbe and Devloli dams and the Patalganga River, these water sources currently do not offer a dependable supply for the proposed development region. MSRDC now plans to commission a comprehensive study to explore feasible water sources for the dam. The study will form the foundation for a detailed project report (DPR), which is expected to be drafted over the coming year.
A technical consultant will be brought on board to support MSRDC through various phases of the project—ranging from water resource mapping and infrastructure planning to managing the bidding process and framing contractual agreements.
The planning document highlights that, “The region includes both rural and fringe-urban zones, where infrastructure related to water supply, sewage, and solid waste disposal is either minimal or missing entirely.” Establishing reliable water infrastructure has thus been marked as a critical first step in laying the groundwork for long-term development.
Adding to the complexity, the earmarked site falls within the ecologically rich and fragile Western Ghats zone, known for its biodiversity and sensitive terrain. The area’s natural slopes and uneven landscape present additional engineering challenges, especially in designing stormwater drainage and flood control systems.
If greenlit, this dam will become the fifth major water project undertaken in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in recent years. The Middle Vaitarna Dam, developed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), was completed in 2014. Meanwhile, the Surya Dam—being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)—is expected to be operational by the end of this year. Two more projects by MCGM, the Gargai and Pinjal dams, are still in the planning phase, with the Pinjal dam receiving initial government approval back in 2015.
