Stretches of 5 roads in Nashik district face inundation threat from Kikvi dam

Nashik: Sections of five roads, including the key Trimbakeshwar–Jawhar National Highway, are likely to be inundated by the backwater of the Kikvi dam, the construction of which is yet to begin.
A senior officer from the water resources department (WRD) said the officials were looking for alternative routes that could be developed for the small sections of the five roads.
"The sections, ranging from 50 metres to about 100 metres, of the five roads, including the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar-Jawhar National Highway, a state highway, and three other district roads, are likely to be inundated when the dam is commissioned. A meeting of national highway authorities, public works department officials, and the zilla parishad's building and construction authorities will be held next week to figure out a solution," said the WRD officer.
The officials will survey the areas to find alternatives. Measures could include the construction of certain barriers to prevent water from coming onto the road in the smaller sections or even raising the heights of the roads by ensuring there is space to accommodate water below the road and also to allow the water to pass on the other side.
In cases where larger sections of roads are likely to be inundated, the construction of alternative roads will have to be undertaken. "During the survey, the officials will consider feasibility of taking up the several steps based on which, a decision will be taken. Plans will then be presented to govt for sanction," the officer said.
Govt has sanctioned Rs 1,400 crore for the Kikvi dam to meet the drinking water needs of the Nashik Municipal Corporation until 2041. The 2.1 TMC-water capacity dam will take up 912 hectares in Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district.