India, Oct. 26 -- With the code of conduct for local body elections expected to kick in soon, the Mahayuti government has asked the Mumbai civic body to get moving on the Gargai dam project and issue tenders at the earliest. The Rs.3,800-core project aims to increase Mumbai's water supply, something the ruling BJP is eager to take credit for in the run-up to the all-important elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

In September, Ashish Shelar, guardian minister for Mumbai suburban district, had instructed municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to issue tenders for the project but the civic administration had been struggling with acquiring land for compensatory afforestation. The shortfall in land is around 150 hectares...