Pune, 6th October 2026: The e-tender process for a private fishing contract at Ujani Dam has been cancelled following opposition from traditional fishermen in the region. The decision was taken at a meeting held in Mumbai on Monday in the presence of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
Fishing in and around Ujani Dam is a major source of livelihood for thousands of traditional fishing families. Fishermen’s organisations had raised concerns that allowing a private contractor could adversely affect their traditional fishing activities and income.
The Indapur taluka fishermen’s organisations, Maharashtra State Fishermen’s Struggle Action Committee and Ujani Fishermen Protection Campaign had opposed the tender process. They had also staged a protest outside the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune and demanded that the private fishing contract be cancelled.
A meeting of the concerned stakeholders was held under the leadership of Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. The meeting was attended virtually by Harshavardhan Patil, MLA Abhijit Patil, MLA Samadhan Autade and former MLA Sanjay Shinde, along with senior officials from the Water Resources Department and Krishna Valley Development Corporation.
After considering the fishermen’s concerns and their dependence on fishing for their livelihood, the government decided to cancel the private fishing contract process at Ujani Dam. Officials have been instructed to take the necessary administrative action.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane said the decision was taken considering the livelihood concerns of thousands of traditional fishermen dependent on Ujani Dam.
“Thousands of traditional fishing families depend on fishing at Ujani Dam for their livelihood. Considering their demand and livelihood concerns, the private fishing contract process has been cancelled. The concerned officials have been directed to take necessary action,” Bharane said.
