Project Overview

As per the directives issued by the Hon’ble Minister, Water Resources Department, in the meeting held on 14/11/2018, it was decided that the Deharji Medium Project shall be implemented as a water supply project with financial assistance from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. The Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, has also given consent in this regard. In this regard, as per the Government Resolution issued by the Water Resources Department dated 11/09/2019, approval has been granted for implementation of the Deharji Medium Project for the drinking water supply requirements of the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation through the financial assistance of the MMRDA.

The Deharji Medium Project is located on the Deharji River, a tributary of the Vaitarna River in the sub-basin of the west flowing river basin group, near Suksale village in Vikramgad Taluka of Palghar District. Under this project, an earth and masonry dam with a storage capacity of 93.22 Mcum is proposed to be constructed across the Deharji River.

The proposal for the second revised administrative approval of the Deharji Project, amounting to ₹ 2,599 Cr., submitted by the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation, has been approved by the Government vide Government Resolution No. Suprama-2025/(P.K.22/25) Medium Project dated 25/02/2025. Subsequently, ex-post facto approval was accorded by the Authority in its 159th meeting held on 28/03/2025.’

Project Features:

•  95.60 Mcum capacity earthen and masonry dam is proposed across the Deharji River.
• Live Storage Capacity: 93.55 Mcum (equivalent to 255 MLD).
• Dam Length: 2,450 metres ; Dam Height: 71.60 metres.
• Type of Dam: Earthen dam with a gated central spillway.
• Radial Gates: 12 m × 6.5 m (4 Nos.).

Current Status of the Project :

The KIDC invited tenders during the year 2006-07, and the work order for the Deharji Medium Project was issued to M/s P.V.R. Projects Ltd., Pune, on 27/07/2006. As per the work schedule, the Chief Engineer, WRD, Konkan Region, vide letter dated 11/12/2020, has granted a third extension of time up to 30/06/2024 for completion of the project.

1. The proposal for the transfer of 445.29 hectares of forest land required for the project has received Stage-II approval from the GoI vide letter dated 19/02/2016.
2. Almost all statutory clearances required for the Deharji Project have been obtained.
3. The project partially affects three villages, namely Khulede, Sakhare, and Jambe. The rehabilitation process of 272 project-affected families is under progress through the office of the Hon’ble District Collector, Palghar.
4. The process of private land acquisition of 234.93 hectares required for the dam and submergence area is under progress through the office of the Hon’ble District Collector, Palghar.
5. At present, the contractor has commenced foundation excavation works and masonry construction in the gorge portion since May 2022. The overall physical progress of the project is 82%.

The Authority has provided a total fund of ₹ 1933.04 cr. for the Deharji Dam Project till date, which includes ₹ 364.82 cr. for land acquisition, ₹ 5.73 cr. for ETP charges, and ₹ 1562.48 cr. for contractor payments. The Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation has planned to complete the said work by December 2027.

Benefits of the Project:

The Deharji Dam Project is designed to create a total water storage capacity of 93.55 Mcum, facilitating a water supply of 255 MLD per day. Out of the total available water allocation, 190 MLD has been reserved for the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation. Out of the total available water supply, 190 MLD has been reserved for the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation. The balance quantity of 65 MLD is proposed to be utilized for providing water supply to rural areas (15 MLD) and CIDCO, Palghar (50 MLD). Upon completion, the project will play a vital role in strengthening the regional water supply system and ensuring a sustainable water source for the beneficiary areas.