Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Construction of 2.1 TMC Kikvi Dam.

The Maharashtra cabinet approved the construction of the Kikvi dam at Brahmanwade village in Trimbakeshwar taluka, as announced by NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday. Once completed, the dam will store 2.1 TMC of water, addressing the drinking water needs of Nashik city residents.

Minister Bhujbal stated, "The state government has given its approval to start the construction of Kikvi dam," emphasizing the project's significance. The decision to build the new dam arises from the reduced storage capacity of the Gangapur dam, which has served as a major water source for the Nashik Municipal Corporation, hampered by continuous silt deposits.

The minister explained that desilting the Gangapur dam would be a massive undertaking. Instead, constructing the Kikvi dam was proposed to ensure a reliable water supply for Nashik's growing population, projected to rise significantly by 2041.

The project has faced several challenges since it was initially sanctioned in 2009. Environmental clearance was obtained in 2014, but it was later contested in the high court over concerns that the water storage would exceed the total availability upstream of the Jayakwadi dam. In 2017, the Kikvi dam was incorporated into the Godavari water plan and received government approval. However, progress was halted due to a suspension of various water resource projects across the state.

With the latest government approval, construction is set to commence. A senior official from the water resources department noted that the project requires a total of 738 hectares of land, with 174 hectares already allocated from the forest department as alternative land.

Originally estimated at ₹283 crore in 2009, the project cost has surged to ₹1,400 crore, with land acquisition expected to amount to ₹662 crore and construction costs projected at ₹738 crore.

ET