Godavari Water Finally Reaches Jackwell

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) achieved a milestone at 4:40 pm on Thursday, successfully bringing water into the Jackwell constructed at Jayakwadi Dam.

Commissioner G Sreekanth, standing inside the Jackwell, drank two sips of the water and expressed gratitude to the Godavari River. MJP Chief Engineer Manisha Palande performed the ceremonial water prayer (Jalpujan).

The water will now be stored in the jackwell for a few hours. Subsequently, its journey toward the city will commence through the 38-kilometre-long main water pipeline. Just two days prior—on the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, the court had granted permission to draw water into the jackwell.

Water was originally to be drawn into the Jackwell by the siphon method at 11:00 am, but a minor technical hurdle took nearly six hours to overcome. Water levels were raised to four and a half metres inside the Jackwell.

Additional water will be drawn and the pipeline will be checked for leakages at various stages on Friday. Over the next two to three days, water will be stored in the Jackwell; once leak-free operation is confirmed, pump testing will begin.

“If successful, water will be channelled into 2,500 mm diameter pipelines, with four to five kilometres of the pipeline to be cleaned,” said Commissioner Srikanth. The water will then travel 38 km through the main pipeline toward the city.

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Water to reach Nakshatrawadi by April 14

The target is to bring water from Jayakwadi to the Nakshatrawadi water purification centre by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti (on April 14). Minor deficiencies will be rectified along the way, and efforts are ongoing to supply 200 MLD of water to the city by the end of April.

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Officials at Nathsagar Until Dawn

To ensure no obstacles arose before water entered the Jackwell, Commissioner Sreekanth, MJP Chief Engineer Manisha Palande, GVR Company Managing Director Mahendra Gugulothu, and Khalil Khan remained at Nathsagar until 3:00 am.

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GVPR's achievement in 20 Months

Hyderabad-based GVPR Company was awarded the project but faced attempts to push it out. After a Public Interest Litigation was filed in court, the company accelerated its work. Despite labour shortages during Covid-19, the company resumed and began PCC work for the Jackwell in May 2024, completing the first phase in just 20 months, well within the tendered timeline of 36 months. An average of 300 labourers worked on the project daily.

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Key Project Milestones

2019 — Rs 1,680 crore water scheme announced

2020 — Foundation stone laid by then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

2021 — Contract signed with GVPR Company

2022 — Jackwell design approved

2024 — Court permission granted for controlled blasting at Nathsagar

2024 — PCC work for Jackwell begins

2026 — First phase of Jackwell completed

19 March 2026 — Water enters the Jackwell

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Heartfelt Congratulations to the Citizens

"With the support of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, District Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat and OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, water has reached the Jackwell today. Heartfelt congratulations to the citizens of the city. Efforts will continue to bring water to every household.

(G Sreekanth, CSMC Commissioner)