Maharashtra Water Crisis: Ransai Dam’s Falling Levels Threaten Uran’s Supply

Uran is once again grappling with a severe water shortage, as water levels in the Ransai Dam, which supplies water to the region, continue to deplete, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report. The region is already experiencing a two-day water cut every week (on Tuesdays and Fridays), and authorities are urging residents to conserve water to prevent further reductions in supply and ensure it lasts until the monsoon.

The Ransai Dam, managed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), caters to the water needs of Uran. Built in 1971, the dam has a height of 120 feet, with a maximum storage level of 116.5 feet. When the water level exceeds this, the dam overflows. Currently, the level stands at 102.9 feet, which is expected to last only until June. As a result, MIDC has implemented water cuts to stretch the supply until the monsoon season.

As per the HT report, G M Mukadam, deputy engineer at MIDC, explained, "We are supplying as much water as possible from Ransai and sourcing 4 million litres per day (mld) from the Hetawane dam. The water cuts on Tuesdays and Fridays are necessary to ensure the water lasts until the monsoon."

Uran's daily water requirement is 41 million litres, catering to its population of approximately 2 lakh people. However, MIDC is only able to supply 30 mld, leading to a shortage of 10 mld. To mitigate this, MIDC sources 3.8 mld of water from CIDCO, in exchange for supplying water from other areas.

MIDC officials have warned of further water cuts if the situation worsens, but residents are increasingly frustrated. "MIDC's proposal to increase the dam's capacity has been pending for years. We have protested several times, and perhaps it is time to intensify the agitation," said Prashant Mhatre, a local resident.

Social worker Bhushan Patil highlighted the recurring problem, stating, "The Ransai dam has limited capacity, and a lot of rainwater is wasted once it reaches its maximum. This results in water shortages as early as December every year. While increasing the dam's height could help, it would require land acquisition, which is complicated by the unresolved rehabilitation of displaced persons over the past 60 years."