The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved four major dam and irrigation projects worth Rs 18,842 crore, significantly boosting water supply and agricultural infrastructure across the state.

Two major projects in Raigad district will directly benefit the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by improving its drinking water supply. A Rs 6,394.13 crore dam on the Poshir River in Karjat, with a capacity of 12.344 TMC, will provide 7.933 TMC for drinking and 1.859 TMC for industrial use, supplying water to Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur. Another proposed 6.61 TMC dam on the Shilar River, also in Karjat, will cater to the drinking water needs of Panvel and Navi Mumbai.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved a revised administrative sanction of Rs 5,329.46 crore for the Sulwade Jamphal Kanoli Lift Irrigation Scheme in Dhule district. The project, already partially executed with Rs 2,407.67 crore spent, will irrigate 36,407 hectares in Shindkheda and Dhule tehsils.

The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 2,250 crore for an irrigation scheme under the Aruna Project in Sindhudurg, expected to irrigate 5,310 hectares across Vaibhav Wadi and Rajapur tehsils.