A SUSTAINABLE PROJECT - CREATION OF WATER: REPAIR OF RAJAPUR DAM

A Flagship project of RCPC

The Rajapur dam built in 1950 was meant to provide storage for the villages around the area. Due to almost no monsoon rains in previous years, the storage area of this dam had dried up completely., The Dam Repair Project, a flagship project by The Rotary Club of Pune Central, stands as a beacon of sustainable development, benefiting over 15,000 villagers and communities within a 5 km radius. The dam, a crucial water source for irrigation, drinking water, and livestock, had suffered structural damages over time, leading to water seepage and reduced storage capacity.

The work on the dam began with a traditional Pooja performed by R’Ann Dipti Chitnis and Rtn Giri Sakhrani and was attended by almost the entire population of Rajapur Village. Recently, in the month of February 2025, a group of seven Rotarians led by President Brig Rtn.PKM Raja took the opportunity of seeing the result of the combined efforts put in by the Padmakar Bhide.Anchor Donor: Rtn. Giri Sakhrani. Other Donors & Supporters are Rtn. PP Ajay Dubey, Rtn. Rakesh Makhija, Rtn. Shireesh Nadkar, Rtn. Nitin Rajore.

Through a well-planned restoration effort by Rotary Club of Pune Central and local engineer-turned-businessman-turned philanthropist named Padmakar Bhide, the project involved strengthening the dam embankment, desilting the reservoir, reinforcing spillways, and implementing soil erosion control measures. This not only enhanced water retention but also ensured long-term resilience against climatic variations. The availability of clean water has also reduced water-borne diseases and improved attendance at schools in the area. Since women do not have to spend a lot of time fetching water from far away wells, they have formed self-help groups that impart training in tailoring, organic eggs and poultry farming, and financial planning The general health of the women has also improved.

The impact of the project has been transformative—farmers now have reliable irrigation, groundwater levels have improved, and villagers have access to a consistent water supply, reducing their dependency on erratic monsoons. Additionally, afforestation and watershed management initiatives around the dam have contributed to environmental sustainability.

This initiative showcases how community-driven, sustainable water management can uplift rural livelihoods and ensure water security for generations to come.