Uran: The combination of silt accumulation and rising temperatures in April has significantly reduced the water storage at the Ransai Dam, prompting the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to issue an urgent appeal for water conservation. MIDC is calling on residents to limit water usage to avoid a full-scale water shortage, aiming to meet demand until the end of June.
To manage the ongoing water crisis, MIDC has implemented water rationing measures. Despite the urgent need to increase the dam’s storage capacity, a proposal to either raise the dam’s height or dredge the accumulated silt has been delayed for over 25 years. As the situation continues to worsen, pressure is mounting on authorities to take immediate action to secure a reliable water supply for Uran in the future.
The Ransai Dam, which has seen stagnant water storage capacity for years, has struggled to meet the rising demand from both local residents and nearby industrial units. As a result, water cuts have become a regular occurrence for the residents of Uran since October-November each year. The monsoon season further exacerbates the problem, as millions of liters of water are wasted due to the dam’s insufficient storage capacity.
Originally built in the 1960s to cater to the defense department’s needs, the Ransai Dam now also serves several key industrial projects, including ONGC’s oil refining plant, a gas-based power station, and Bharat Petroleum’s domestic cylinder filling plant. MIDC is responsible for supplying water to these industries and the local municipal areas, which require 41 million liters of water daily. However, the dam can only provide 30 million liters, creating a daily shortfall of 10 million liters.
Local leaders are now calling for swift action to address the dam’s declining capacity and avoid a more severe water crisis in the future. The demand for faster implementation of measures to increase storage capacity is gaining momentum.
As the region braces for potential water shortages in the coming months, residents are urged to use water judiciously. MIDC is closely monitoring the situation and emphasizes the importance of public cooperation in conserving this precious resource.
