Ghanewadi Talab

 

Ghanewadi Talab

Ghanewadi Talab, located 8 km north of Jalna City in Maharashtra, India, is a historic lake constructed between 1924 and 1931 by philanthropist Mr. Bezonji Faridoonji Jalnawalla, who funded the project entirely from his own resources. It was built to serve as the primary drinking water source for Jalna and remains the only lake supplying water to the city. Over the decades, neglect, silt accumulation, and encroachment for agriculture have severely degraded its capacity and structural integrity. Once holding 1.44 billion liters, its storage has diminished significantly, with water supply reduced to once a month at its lowest. Conservation efforts began in 2010, with community-driven silt removal, but ongoing maintenance and infrastructure repair—especially of the drainage and safety walls—remain critical. Recent reports highlight serious risks, including the potential for dam failure due to poor drainage and structural damage.