While the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) chants the mantra of making the region a world-class hub, there may be trouble in the offing with their revival of the dams project.
The authority has offered a rehabilitation package for the construction of Shai and Kalu dams in Thane district, but it may face resistance from the local villagers.
The authority has decided on the revival of the project, which was left in lurch by the state irrigation department for want of funds. The idea was to revive the dams and improve the water supply of areas such as Mira-Bhayander and Navi Mumbai.
According to MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, the rehabilitation package has already being submitted to the state irrigation department. “As many as 4,000 houses will be affected due to the construction of the dams. We have provided Rs131-crore rehabilitation package for Shai dam and Rs140 crore more for the land acquisition. For Kalu dam, the rehabilitation package is of Rs201 crore, while land acquisition cost of Rs90 crore has been offered,” he said.
The authority has also given two options to those villagers who are affected either partially or totally by the dams. “Both projects will affect 18 villages each — either partially or fully. We have offered them either a complete rehab package (a corpus and a house) or a partial package (only a corpus). Now it is up to the state irrigation department to finalise the deal,” he added.
However, according to local sources, the resistance to these dams is likely to be fierce. “When Tansa dam was constructed, the locals were promised better water supply. But all the benefits are going to Mumbai city alone. Now these two dams are likely to be of the same nature where the benefits will go to other parts of MMR. This may result in resistance,” said a senior state government official.
