India, July 21 -- To facilitate development of 71 villages off Khandala, plans to build a dam in the 186 sq km area near the hill station are underway. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will initiate a study to identify potential water sources for the reservoir that will eventually supply water.

This area was part of the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) before the state government appointed MSRDC as the Special Planning Authority in March 2016. "MSRDC is the special planning authority to develop 71 villages in the 186.72 sq km area of Panvel and Khalapur taluka in Raigad district, along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. It has taken the initiative to develop the special planning area and prepare a de...