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Kalu Dam Project: Still a Distant Dream

Water shortage is one of the most pressing issues faced by the cities in the eastern part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including Thane. To address this, the Kalu Water Supply Project was planned as a major initiative to ensure a reliable water supply for the growing population. Here’s what you should know about this crucial but long-stalled project.

The Kalu Dam Project is being developed to meet the increasing water demand of the eastern sub-region of MMR, covering Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur. The project aims to supply 1,140 million litres per day (MLD) of water through a regional water supply scheme. The dam is proposed to be built on the Kalu river near Khapari village, Murbad taluka, Thane district. Once completed, it is expected to significantly improve the water supply to municipal corporations and councils in the region. Key Features of the Project are:

Location: Kalu river, near Khapari village, Murbad Taluka, Thane district.

Type of Dam: Earthen dam with a gated spillway.

Height of Dam: 61.28 metres.

Length of Dam: 802 metres.

Gross Storage Capacity: 414.18 million cubic metres.

Live Storage Capacity: 401.24 million cubic metres (equivalent to 1,140 MLD water supply).

The construction of the dam falls under the scope of the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation (KIDC), Thane, while the water supply scheme will come under the scope of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) after the dam is completed.  The project is planned in two stages: 1. Construction of the dam, 2. Implementation of the regional water supply scheme using the dam’s water.

Despite its importance, the Kalu Dam project has faced repeated delays and obstacles since its inception. The construction of the dam was stopped as far back as March 2012 due to legal and environmental challenges. Work remains incomplete, and there is no clear timeline for resumption.

Acquiring land, particularly forest land and land for rehabilitating affected villages, has been a major hurdle. A primary land acquisition notification issued earlier has now been cancelled (May 2025) because the final notification was not completed within the required one-year period. This means the process will have to restart from scratch. The dam will submerge a large portion of forest land in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats (about 999 hectares). Environmental clearances, impact assessments, and opposition from conservation groups have delayed progress. The project is expected to fully submerge 8 villages and partially submerge 10 more, affecting around 18,000 people. Rehabilitation plans for displaced families have been slow.

In recent months, the Maharashtra government has been trying to revive the project. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has held meetings (April 2025) to expedite land acquisition and rehabilitation. Thane and Palghar district administrations have been directed to coordinate efforts and look for alternative land for afforestation.

Thane and neighbouring cities are already struggling with water shortages, especially in the summer months. Population growth and urban expansion have made additional water sources critical. If completed, the Kalu Dam project could greatly improve the situation for lakhs of residents. While the intent to complete the project is strong, significant challenges remain — restarting the land acquisition process, addressing environmental concerns, and ensuring fair rehabilitation of affected people. The recent cancellation of the earlier notification has pushed the timeline even further.

For now, the Kalu Dam remains a much-needed but much-delayed solution to Thane’s water problem. Citizens can hope that the authorities speed up the process while balancing development needs with environmental and social responsibilities.

As citizens of Thane, staying informed and raising our collective voice for both sustainable development and justice for affected communities can help ensure that projects like the Kalu Dam move forward in the right way — and at the right pace.



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