In a significant move to address the chronic water scarcity in the rural areas of Thane district, particularly in Shahapur and Murbad talukas, the Zilla Parishad has launched the Shivjal Surajya Abhiyan. The initiative, aimed at making these talukas tanker-free, was officially implemented on December 10, 2024, and will run until September 30, 2025.

A district-level committee, chaired by Chief Executive Officer Rohan Ghuge and co-chaired by Additional Chief Executive Officer Ajinkya Pawar, has been established to oversee and monitor the campaign. The initiative focuses on sustainable water management through a variety of measures, including Construction and repair of dams: Raw dams, chain cement dams, KT weirs, and forestry dams. Water conservation projects: Percolation ponds, village pond repairs, and rooftop rainwater harvesting. Groundwater recharge systems: Borewell recharge shafts, gabion dams, and deep continuous contour trenching. Community involvement: Villagers are encouraged to participate through labour donations and water planning.

The campaign aims to ensure the supply of 40–45 liters of water per person annually in tanker-affected areas. To achieve this, a combination of funding sources, including District Planning, Tribal and Non-Tribal Sub-Schemes, Jalyukta Shivar, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, will be utilized.

As of June 2024, 42 tankers supplied water to 198 villages and hamlets in Shahapur taluka, while 6 tankers serviced 35 villages and hamlets in Murbad taluka, affecting over 82,000 residents. The Shivjal Surajya Abhiyan aims to drastically reduce dependency on tankers by enhancing local water sources through community-driven efforts and sustainable water management.

To incentivize participation, the Rural Water Supply Department has announced a Groundwater Rich Gram Panchayat award for Gram Panchayats that excel in planning and executing the campaign.

The district administration, through this initiative, envisions a future where Shahapur and Murbad talukas become self-sufficient in water, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for their rural population.

Comprehensive Action Plan

The initiative includes plans for the following water conservation and recharge measures:

• Shahapur Taluka:
  • Rainwater harvesting on 454 wells.
  • Construction of 50 recharge shafts, 50 gabion dams, 10 KT weirs, 50 forest/raw dams, and 15 cement drain dams.
  • These measures aim to recharge 337 million liters of groundwater and create storage for 145 million liters of water.
• Murbad Taluka:
  • Rainwater harvesting on 130 wells.
  • Construction of 75 recharge shafts, 5 KT weirs, 35 forest/raw dams, 7 cement drain dams, and 3 underground bandharas (UGBs).
  • These efforts are expected to recharge 140 million liters of groundwater and create storage for 81 million liters.