Mumbai's Gargai dam: Big plans to boost city's water by 2029
Mumbai is getting a major water upgrade—a ₹3,000 crore dam on the Gargai River.
Announced by the BMC on December 10, this project includes a 69-meter-high dam and a tunnel that will use gravity to send more drinking water into the Modak Sagar reservoir, which then supplies the city.
It's part of a long-standing plan to keep up with Mumbai's growing needs.
What makes this project stand out?
The new dam isn't just about storing water—it'll also have a hydropower unit to help cut costs.
Once finished (target is 2029), it should add about 440 million liters of water per day for Mumbai. That means fewer supply gaps as the city keeps expanding.
The bigger picture: impact and trade-offs
Building the dam comes with challenges—two villages will be fully submerged, and several others affected, meaning over 600 families will need new homes.
Plus, there's an environmental cost: around 3 lakh trees will be lost, but BMC plans compensatory planting in other districts.
Still, this project is key for securing Mumbai's water future all the way till 2050.