Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Sets Deadline for Delayed Kalu Dam Project to Tackle Water Woes in Thane Region

In a significant move to address the long-pending water crisis in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, and nearby areas, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday stressed that the Kalu Dam project must be completed within a fixed deadline. With delays in private and forest land acquisition and lack of a concrete rehabilitation plan holding back the project for years, Shinde directed authorities to speed up these crucial tasks through inter-departmental coordination.

The directive came during a high-level meeting held at Mantralaya, attended by Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta, senior officials from the Water Resources and Forest Departments, and Thane District Collector Ashok Shingare. Officials from Palghar joined via video conferencing.

Shinde emphasized that the Kalu project, though sanctioned years ago, has remained stagnant due to administrative delays. He instructed the Palghar District Collector to submit a report by Monday on alternate land for compensatory afforestation for the forest land that will be affected by the project.

Furthermore, Shinde directed the Thane District Collector to lead coordination efforts for expediting land acquisition and finalize the rehabilitation blueprint for the displaced villages. He reiterated that without completing this vital infrastructure, the growing water demands of several urban and semi-urban pockets in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) would remain unmet.