MLA Prashant Thakur has appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for financial support to expand the height of the Dehrang Dam on the Gadhi River, which provides drinking water to the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) area.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, MLA Thakur pointed out that PMC, established on October 1, 2016, is experiencing rapid population growth due to its proximity to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, along with ongoing developments like the airport and industrialization. As a result, the city’s water demand is also on the rise. Currently, the daily water requirement, based on the standard of 150 liters per capita, is 394 MLD (million liters per day), and it is projected to reach 847 MLD by 2057.
At present, PMC receives around 224 MLD of water from various sources, including Dehrang Dam, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), CIDCO, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (Morbe Dam), and MIDC. However, with the growing population, a severe water shortage is expected soon. MLA Thakur stressed that raising the height of Dehrang Dam is the only viable long-term solution, as the city does not own any other water source.
Expanding the dam’s storage capacity would significantly increase water reserves, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the city. On January 9, 2025, the PMC Commissioner submitted a proposal recommending a 20-meter height increase, which would involve acquiring 294 hectares of land at an estimated cost of ₹900 crore.
Due to PMC’s financial constraints as a newly formed municipal corporation, MLA Thakur has urged the state government to allocate the necessary funds to make this project a reality, securing a long-term solution for Panvel’s water needs.
