Panvel: A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reignited hope for families affected by the long-delayed Balganga Dam project in Pen Taluka while also promising improved water supply for the Navi Mumbai region. Originally approved in 2009 to provide drinking water to Pen, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Uran, the project has faced prolonged delays due to legal disputes and unresolved resettlement challenges.
Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation, Makarand Jadhav-Patil, assured that the issues faced by the displaced residents would be addressed and the project would be completed at the earliest.
During the ongoing budget session in Mumbai, MLAs Ravish Seth Patil (Pen) and Prashant Thakur (Panvel) raised concerns about the dam’s incomplete status and the pending compensation for displaced families. MLA Patil highlighted that land was acquired for the project 15 years ago, affecting six gram panchayats, nine revenue villages, and 13 tribal settlements, displacing around 3,000 families. While locals do not oppose the dam, they demand rightful compensation and rehabilitation before the project's completion.
MLA Prashant Thakur pointed out discrepancies in compensation distribution, stating that Rs 426.26 crore was allocated, but some families received only partial payments. This led to complaints to the government, demanding fair and full compensation.
Responding to the concerns, Minister Jadhav-Patil revealed that the government had recently made key decisions to fast-track the project. The Balganga Dam was initially approved in 2009 to provide drinking water to Pen, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Uran, but legal hurdles and unresolved family resettlement issues caused delays. The government has now allocated Rs 680 crore for land acquisition, of which Rs 426 crore has already been distributed. Additionally, Rs 4.24 crore remains pending due to ongoing court cases.
A significant breakthrough came in January when Chief Minister Fadnavis assigned the project’s responsibility to CIDCO, which has approved the revised rehabilitation plan. Following a fresh survey, the number of affected families has been finalized at 2,474. On March 4, the government approved the updated rehabilitation blueprint, and a proposal of Rs 877.22 crore has been sent to the Divisional Commissioner for clearance.
With these new developments, the long-pending concerns of displaced families are expected to be resolved soon, and the Balganga Dam project is set to move forward without further delays.