Pune, 31 October 2025: After more than a year and a half, work has finally begun on the ambitious Khadakwasla to Phursungi tunnel project. Cleared by the state’s technical advisory committee 18 months ago, the project aims to provide a more efficient and cleaner water supply to Pune by replacing part of the ageing Mutha Right Canal.
The D-shaped tunnel, 7.8 metres wide and 3.9 metres high, will carry around 1,510 cusecs of water by gravity from the Khadakwasla dam to Phursungi. Once completed, the 28-kilometre underground link is expected to prevent leakage and evaporation, reduce pollution from open canals, and ensure a steady water flow for both drinking and irrigation purposes.
Officials said the environment department has granted the required no-objection certificate, and construction is now underway. The project, costing ₹2,190 crore, is expected to save about 2.18 TMC of water every year and restore irrigation to nearly 3,471 hectares of land.
The tunnel, with a 6.3-metre internal diameter, will feature a cement-concrete lining, rock bolts, and shotcrete for durability. Land for the project has been taken on lease from farmers in surrounding villages. Excavation is being done using the drill-and-blast method, under daily monitoring by the water resources department.
According to officials, the project is progressing as per schedule. It had earlier faced a six-month delay due to a pending clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), which finally approved the project on August 11.
The detailed project report has been cleared by the chief engineer, the state technical advisory committee, and the state government. With all permissions in place, authorities say the tunnel will significantly improve Pune’s water management system by minimizing losses and ensuring long-term sustainability.
