Maharashtra Approves Higher Compensation for Tribal Families Affected by Deharji Water Project

The Maharashtra Government has approved a revised land compensation package of nearly ₹25.43 lakh per hectare for tribal families affected by the Deharji Medium Project in Palghar district. The decision is expected to provide significant financial relief to landowners whose properties are being acquired for the major drinking water project serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The revised compensation follows months of discussions between the State Government, district officials, elected representatives, and local communities seeking fair payment for acquired land.

Enhanced Compensation to Address Long-Standing Concerns

Many tribal families in Vikramgad Taluka had raised concerns that compensation calculated using existing Ready Reckoner rates did not reflect the actual value of their land. Since formal land sales are limited in tribal regions, residents argued that the official valuation underestimated market prices.

After reviewing these concerns, the Maharashtra Government approved a revised compensation model by considering land transaction values from the nearby village of Malwada. Officials adopted this approach under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, allowing more realistic land valuation for affected families.

The revised package increases compensation to approximately ₹25.43 lakh per hectare for eligible landowners.

Deharji Medium Project Nears Completion

The Deharji Medium Project, which began construction in November 2022, is one of Maharashtra's key water infrastructure projects designed to strengthen drinking water supply in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

According to government officials, nearly 85% of the construction work has already been completed.

Once operational, the project will create a water storage capacity of 95.60 million cubic meters, capable of supplying around 255 million liters of drinking water per day (MLD). The project is expected to benefit nearly 1.5 million residents, particularly those living in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) area and nearby parts of the MMR.

The initiative aligns with Maharashtra's broader efforts to improve long-term urban water security through new reservoirs and distribution infrastructure.

Tribal Villages Among Those Affected

The project affects several tribal villages, including Khuded, Sakhare, Jambhe, and nearby settlements in Palghar district.

Residents had consistently requested better compensation during the land acquisition process, stating that existing government valuation methods did not accurately represent land prices in tribal areas. The revised compensation package is intended to resolve these long-standing concerns while allowing the project to move forward.

District Administration Played Key Role

The compensation proposal was finalized after extensive coordination between multiple government departments and the Palghar District Administration.

District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar worked closely with state authorities to pursue administrative approvals. The proposal also received active support from Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik, MLA Harishchandra Bhoye, and MP Dr. Hemant Savara, who regularly raised the issue of fair compensation for project-affected tribal families.

Officials said the collaborative approach helped accelerate the approval process.

Rehabilitation Work Moving Forward

Along with compensation, rehabilitation efforts for affected families are progressing.

Villages such as Sakhare and Khuded are only partially impacted by the project, and the rehabilitation plan for displaced residents has already received approval from the Konkan Divisional Commissioner through an official memorandum issued on February 16, 2026.

Authorities have also submitted estimates for roads, water supply, electricity, and other civic facilities at rehabilitation sites for technical approval.

Once approvals are completed, infrastructure development is expected to begin, with rehabilitation work targeted for completion within the next 18 months.

Additional Water Conservation Measures Underway

To improve local water availability beyond the main reservoir, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Water Resources Department are jointly constructing nine Kolhapur Type (KT) weirs on the Deharji River.

These structures are expected to support groundwater recharge, improve water conservation, and enhance local irrigation and drinking water resources in surrounding villages.

Government Focuses on Fair Rehabilitation and Timely Project Completion

State officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that land acquisition, compensation payments, and rehabilitation are carried out in a transparent and people-focused manner.

With enhanced compensation now approved and rehabilitation planning advancing, the government aims to complete the remaining acquisition process while ensuring that the Deharji Medium Project is completed on schedule. Once commissioned, the project is expected to become a major source of reliable drinking water for the growing population of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while providing improved compensation and rehabilitation support for affected tribal communities.