Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Majalgaon Farmers Protest Proposed Dam Heightening In Dam Waters
Farmers near the Majalgaon dam are worried that raising the dam could affect their farmland.
They entered the dam water and stood there for almost five hours to protest.
They wanted the heightening plan canceled.
They also wanted officials to survey the land that might be affected.
The farmers said no decision should be made without speaking to them.
Minister Pankaja Munde supported them and said she would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister.
Authorities later gave the farmers written promises about surveys, permissions and farmer consent.
The protest ended after those assurances were provided.
Farmers entered Majalgaon dam waters for nearly five hours to oppose proposed heightening.
They demanded cancellation of the plan, a land survey and consultation with affected farmers.
Environment Minister Pankaja Munde backed the protesters and said she would raise the issue with the Chief Minister.
The protest ended after authorities issued written assurances on surveys, permissions, farmer consent and desilting proposals.
Protesters criticized absent local officials and Majalgaon MLA Prakash Solanke over his reported support for heightening.
- Who
- Project-affected farmers led by the Yuva Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti, with support from Pankaja Munde.
- What
- Farmers staged a water protest against the proposed heightening of the Majalgaon dam.
- When
- On Thursday, during Marathwada Liberation Day.
- Where
- At the Majalgaon dam in Beed.
- Why
- They feared the heightening could affect agricultural land and alleged that farmers had not been properly consulted.
Farmers opposing heightening
Heightening proposal and reported supporters
Impact on farmland
Farmers opposing heightening
Farmers said raising the dam could affect agricultural land in rehabilitated villages and demanded that the plan be canceled.
Heightening proposal and reported supporters
The proposed heightening and increased storage capacity remained under consideration, with authorities promising surveys and required permissions before any decision.
Decision-making
Farmers opposing heightening
Protesters alleged that decisions were being taken without surveying affected land or consulting farmers.
Heightening proposal and reported supporters
Authorities assured them that affected farmers' consent and necessary permissions would be obtained before a decision.
- Protest duration
- Nearly five hours in the dam waters
- Main demand
- Immediate cancellation of the proposed dam-height increase
- Additional demands
- A survey of affected agricultural land and decisions made with affected farmers' consent
- Support
- Environment and Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde supported the protesters by video call
- Written assurance
- Authorities promised a detailed survey through the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute and consultation with affected farmers
- Desilting proposal
- Authorities said a proposal modeled on the Jayakwadi project would be submitted
- Criticism
- Protesters criticized the absence of local officials and the reported position of MLA Prakash Solanke