The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted clearance for the 34-km Khadakwasla–Phursungi tunnel, aimed at boosting water supply to Pune and nearby rural regions.

Approved on 11 August by the Ministry and its Expert Appraisal Committee, the Rs 2,200 crore project is designed to cut distribution losses and enhance irrigation capacity. Nearly 28 km of the alignment will be underground, at depths of 80–240 mtrs, with six shafts facilitating excavation through controlled blasting. The tunnel, lined with concrete and built with a five-mtrs. internal diameter, will improve durability and water flow. Formal certification is awaited, after which construction will begin, with completion targeted in three years. 

Authorities project the tunnel will save about three TMC of water annually, raise the canal’s carrying capacity to 1,510 cusecs, and increase flow speed by nearly 1.5 times. Once operational, the project will secure Pune’s water supply, extend irrigation to 3,472 hectares, and significantly strengthen western Maharashtra’s water infrastructure.