Uran: As summer heat intensifies and silt continues to choke the Ransai Dam, Uran is staring at a growing water crisis. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has issued an urgent appeal to residents to conserve water, warning that current reserves may not last beyond June if consumption isn't curbed.
With daytime temperatures soaring and the dam’s storage capacity shrinking due to decades of silt buildup, water levels have dropped sharply in recent weeks. Despite repeated discussions over the years about increasing the dam's height or removing accumulated silt, no concrete action has been taken for over 25 years.
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Currently, the Ransai Dam supplies water to both Uran’s residential areas and key industrial units, including ONGC’s oil refinery, a gas-powered electricity plant, and Bharat Petroleum’s domestic gas filling facility. The daily demand stands at 41 million liters, but the dam can only provide 30 million—leaving a shortfall of 10 million liters each day. Water rationing has already begun in an attempt to stretch the supply through the peak summer months.
Originally constructed in the 1960s to serve the defense sector, the dam's role has expanded significantly over the decades. However, its capacity has not kept pace with the growing population and industrial activity in Uran. Seasonal rainfall offers temporary relief, but due to the dam’s limited holding capacity, millions of liters of rainwater are lost annually.
Local leaders and citizens are now pressing the authorities to act swiftly and implement long-delayed plans to enhance the dam’s capacity. There is growing concern that without immediate intervention, Uran may face even harsher water cuts in the future.
MIDC continues to monitor the situation and is appealing to the public to use water wisely as the region prepares for a challenging summer ahead.