The Water Resources Department (WRD) has announced a plan to ensure year-round water flow in the Godavari River’s eight-km stretch through Trimbakeshwar by pumping water from the Gautami Godavari dam into the Ahilyasagar dam.

Nashik Collector Jalaj Sharma stated that this scheme will meet the town’s drinking water needs until 2050 and ensure water availability for pilgrims, particularly during the Kumbh Mela. Water released from Ahilyasagar Dam will flow through Trimbakeshwar before returning to the Gautami Godavari dam, with officials noting that over 80 percent of the lifted water will eventually be restored.

The project involves five 500 HP pumps and an eight km pipeline. Water will be pumped every Monday to accommodate heavy pilgrim inflow, as well as on special occasions and yatras—amounting to 38 pumping operations during the dry season. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 290 crore, subject to revision by state-level technical committees.