Urgent need to increase capacity of Ransai and Punade dams

A severe water crisis is on the horizon for the rapidly expanding Uran taluka, where water sources are struggling to keep pace with growing industrialisation and urbanisation. At present, the region depends mainly on Ransai Dam, managed by MIDC, and Punade Dam, under the Water Resources Department, to meet its water needs. However, with daily demand surging to 50 to 60 MLD, the existing reservoirs are proving woefully inadequate. Experts and local representatives are now stressing the urgent need to increase the storage capacity of these dams to avoid a critical shortage in the near future.

The Ransai Dam currently holds 10 MCM, while the Punade Dam has a meagre 1.75 MCM storage capacity. If Uran were to rely solely on these two reservoirs, it would have enough water supply for only three to four months. As a result, the taluka is heavily dependent on water from CIDCO’s Hetawane Dam and MJP’s Barvi Dam to meet its ever-growing demand.

Uran has witnessed unprecedented growth due to the presence of major industrial projects, including ONGC, JNPT, and BPCL, as well as large warehouses established in connection with JNPT’s expansion. This industrial boom has brought with it a surge in employment opportunities, attracting thousands of people and leading to rapid urbanisation.

However, this growth has come at a cost, severe water shortages. Despite the rising population, the region’s water sources remain unchanged, forcing residents to depend on neighbouring talukas for their daily needs. The pressure on water supply is only expected to intensify as urbanisation continues at an aggressive pace.

Adding to the water crisis is improved connectivity between Uran and Mumbai. Since last year, Uran has been linked to Mumbai via local train services, and the Nhava-Shivdi Atal Setu has further accelerated migration to the area. As a result, the demand for water has soared, exacerbating an already precarious situation.

Given the worsening crisis, local MLA Mahesh Baldi has underscored the urgent need for concrete measures to expand Uran’s water resources. The issue is expected to take centre stage at the upcoming Uran General Assembly meeting on Friday (28th)—the first such meeting in seven years.