Mulshi Dam

Mulshi Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Mula River in Mulshi Taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra. Completed in 1927 and owned by Tata Power, it serves as a major hydroelectric and irrigation source supplying power to Mumbai via the Bhira station. The dam creates a large reservoir surrounded by Sahyadri hills and dense forests. It is historically significant for the Mulshi Satyagraha movement led by farmers against land acquisition during its construction.

Visitors can expect scenic views of the vast reservoir backed by Sahyadri mountains and lush greenery, particularly vibrant during the monsoon season. The site offers designated viewpoints for photography and picnics along the dam's periphery. While direct access to the dam structure is restricted as it is a functional Tata Power facility, the surrounding area features roadside food stalls serving local snacks. Visitors may also encounter seasonal waterfalls and mist-covered hills in the vicinity.

Completed in 1927, the dam was the site of the Mulshi Satyagraha (April 1921 to December 1924), one of the world's first anti-dam movements. Led by Vinayak Bhuskute and Pandurang Mahadev Bapat, the movement represented farmers whose lands were acquired for the project. Despite compensation agreements, many demands of the aggrieved farmers remain unfulfilled.

The dam represents early 20th-century industrial development in Maharashtra and the associated social cost of displacement. It remains a symbol of both engineering achievement and agrarian resistance in Indian history.