Pune: One Kilometre Of Khadakwasla–Phursungi Water Tunnel Completed; Work Underway At Four Points
Pune: One Kilometre Of Khadakwasla–Phursungi Water Tunnel Completed; Work Underway At Four Points
Pune, February 16, 2026: Construction of the proposed underground water tunnel between Khadakwasla Dam and Phursungi has gained momentum, with one kilometre of excavation completed in the past two months.
The project, designed to reduce water contamination, leakage and evaporation losses, is being executed using advanced tunnel boring equipment. Excavation is currently progressing simultaneously from four locations — Khadakwasla, Dhayari, Wadachiwadi and Uruli Devachi. Officials said that each machine is capable of digging nearly eight metres per day. Work at three additional entry points — Katraj, Wadki and Loni Kalbhor — is expected to begin soon.
Although the project received administrative approval last year and the tendering process was completed promptly by the state Water Resources Department, actual construction was delayed due to the pending environmental clearance. Following approval from the Union Environment Ministry, on-site work commenced two months ago. The overall completion timeline for the tunnel is three years.
Project Details
The tunnel, being excavated with a 6.3-metre diameter in a ‘D’ shape, is planned to stretch approximately 28 kilometres. Once completed, it will carry 41 cubic metres of water per second. The alignment runs about 90 metres behind the dam wall and 18 metres below the reservoir bed, allowing water to flow toward Fursungi by gravity.
The gravity-based system is expected to significantly curb water pollution, seepage and evaporation. Authorities estimate that the project could save nearly 2.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water and extend irrigation benefits to an additional 3,472 hectares of agricultural land.
The Water Resources Department has prepared a broader plan to channel water through an underground system from Khadakwasla to Fursungi, aiming to ensure efficient and environmentally sustainable water management for the region.
