The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s rehabilitation efforts linked to the Gargai dam project have been set in motion, marking a decisive step in one of Mumbai’s most ambitious water augmentation initiatives. Six villages in Palghar district are expected to be resettled as part of the project, with 400 hectares of land near Devli in Wada reserved for the displaced families. The civic administration confirmed that a consultant would soon be appointed to oversee the demarcation of this land as well as to supervise the broader rehabilitation programme.
The Gargai dam project, with an estimated outlay of ₹3,105 crore, is intended to add 440 million litres of water per day to Mumbai’s existing network. This development is seen as crucial in addressing the city’s acute demand-supply mismatch. At present, Mumbai receives about 3,950 MLD against a demand of 4,463 MLD. The situation is further aggravated by a 34 percent water loss caused by leakages and inefficiencies in the distribution system. Civic planners emphasised that the addition of the Gargai reservoir would be significant in bridging this gap, making it Mumbai’s eighth major water source once commissioned.
The project, however, comes with a social cost. Approximately 619 families—nearly 2,500 individuals—will face displacement as land from Ogda and Khodade villages, along with portions from Pachghare, Aamle, Phasgaon, and Tilmal, will be acquired. Officials highlighted that efforts were being made to ensure a smooth and transparent transition for the affected population. “The consultant will be responsible not just for land demarcation but also for managing the entire rehabilitation effort,” senior civic officials were quoted as saying.
In April 2025, the state government cleared a major hurdle for the project by granting necessary wildlife and environmental approvals. The 24th meeting of the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved the diversion of 844.879 hectares of land for the project. The Chief Minister underlined that the Gargai initiative was of strategic importance for Mumbai’s growing population, instructing the Forest Department to promptly process proposals and secure national-level clearances without delay.
With these approvals, the project has moved into an implementation phase after facing setbacks in previous years. The dam, which had been stalled in 2019 under the MVA government, is now back on track. Once complete, it is expected to substantially improve water availability across the metropolis and ensure a more resilient supply system for future generations.
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