Deharji Dam in Palghar Achieves Key Milestone with First Partial Water Storage

MMRDA-led project to supply 255 MLD drinking water to Vasai-Virar, Palghar region

Mumbai: In a significant step towards enhancing water infrastructure in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, the under-construction Deharji Medium Irrigation Project has achieved a major technical milestone by reaching 5% partial water storage and overflow discharge at RL 90 meters. The project, financially backed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with an assistance of ₹1,689.42 crore, is poised to become a vital source of drinking water for urban and rural areas in the region.

The project is being implemented by the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation (KIDC) and is currently 80% physically complete. Once operational, it will provide 255 million litres per day (MLD) of potable water — 190 MLD to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), 90 MLD to CIDCO’s Palghar zone, and 15 MLD to rural villages along the pipeline route.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, under whose leadership the project received strategic momentum, called the milestone “a reflection of collaborative governance and long-term planning.” He said, “The Deharji project symbolises our consistent efforts to build a water-secure, climate-resilient Maharashtra. The people of Palghar and surrounding areas will benefit immensely from this infrastructure.”

Echoing this sentiment, Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said, “This is not merely a technical success but a key step in our broader mission to strengthen water infrastructure across the state. MMRDA’s proactive involvement and seamless coordination among departments are accelerating the execution of crucial projects like Deharji.”

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (IAS), Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, highlighted the engineering significance of the achievement.

“Reaching 5% storage and overflow at RL 90 meters—with a reservoir depth of 23.64 meters from the riverbed—is a vital indicator of the dam’s structural and hydrological readiness. This is a model of sustainable, scalable water infrastructure that will meet rising demands in both urban and rural areas.”

The project has already secured all required statutory clearances and aims to provide long-term, reliable water supply for domestic and agricultural use. It is also expected to set a benchmark in climate-aligned infrastructure development, thanks to integrated planning and inter-agency cooperation.

The Deharji project is a part of MMRDA’s ongoing efforts to invest in resilient water infrastructure in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, aligning with broader goals of water security, urban-rural equity, and sustainable development.