Mahajan inspects Temghar dam, says it is 'safe and strong'

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan today carried out inspection of the Temghar dam near here and said the reservoir is "safe and strong" and that there was "no need to panic."
The inspection comes a day after Mahajan took cognisance of a media report about possible "cracks" in the wall of the dam, located in Mulshi taluka in Pune district.
Temghar dam is one of the four dams in the Mula-Mutha sub-basin which supplies water to Pune city.
"Taking the cognisance of the news report, I along with officials from Irrigation department, today visited the dam and conducted a thorough inspection. I can assure that the dam is safe and strong and there is no need to panic," Mahajan told PTI.

"However, there are rectifiable deficiencies and defects in some parts of the dam, which will be looked immediately. But at present, there is no serious threat," he added.
The minister said an inquiry has been set up to probe how these defects remained in the 15-year-old dam and officials and contractors will be questioned in this connection.

"We have already floated tenders and Rs 95 crore funds have been earmarked for the maintenance and repairs of the dam. Once the water level of the dam goes down, the work to overcome the defects will be initiated," he apprised.
Superintending Engineer of Pune Irrigation Circle I S Chaudhari, who was also present during the inspection, said since repair works of dam is the first priority, water will be used from Temghar, so that the water level drops and maintenance work can begin by December.

The 87-meter-high dam has a capacity of holding water up to four TMC and was built between 1997 and 2001.