Khadakwasla Dam — the most important dam in Pune’s water infrastructure and the city’s most beloved lakeside picnic destination — stands as a historic and scenic structure on the Mutha River, approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Pune city centre near the village of Khadakwasla in the Haveli taluka of Pune District, Maharashtra. The dam’s origins trace back to 1869, when the city of Pune faced a devastating drought that prompted Captain Fife Re of the British Army to plan and execute the construction of a major water source — the resulting dam, completed around 1873–1879, was named “Fife Lake” after its builder and served as the principal drinking water source for Pune for generations. The name reverted to Khadakwasla after Independence in 1947, but the dam’s role as the city’s hydrological lifeline has never changed. Khadakwasla Dam is 1.6 kilometres long, sits across the Mutha River at a height of approximately 31.71 metres, and has 11 radial-type sluice gates and six irrigation outlets flowing into two canal systems.
The backwaters of the dam — known as Khadakwasla Lake — stretch approximately 22 kilometres in length and vary from 250 to 1,000 metres in width, with a maximum depth of 36 metres, creating an inland water body of remarkable scale and scenic beauty that has, over time, been transformed by Pune residents into their city’s answer to a beachfront promenade. Khadakwasla is affectionately nicknamed “Pune’s Chowpatty” — a comparison to Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive beach — because the food stalls, evening walks, families with children, vendors selling bhutta, bhel, bhajji, and sugarcane juice, and the gentle lapping of the lake against the embankment all evoke the warm, casual sociability of a beach evening, set against the Sahyadri hills backdrop. The National Defence Academy (NDA) — India’s premier military training institution — is situated adjacent to Khadakwasla, with the iconic Sinhagad Fort visible on the hills just 15 kilometres away.
Khadakwasla Dam Location
Khadakwasla Dam sits in the southwestern outskirts of Pune, on the Mutha River near Khadakwasla village and the NDA campus — surrounded by hills to the south and east and open farmland to the west.
- Address: Khadakwasla Dam, off Sinhagad Road / Khadakwasla Kudje Road, near Khadakwasla Village, Haveli Taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra — 411024
- Pin Code: 411024
- STD Code: 020
- Administrative Zone: Haveli Taluka — Pune District / Pune Parliamentary Constituency
| Reference Point | Distance |
| Khadakwasla Lake (reservoir) | At the dam |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | Adjacent — 1 kilometre |
| Khadakwasla Village | Adjacent |
| Sinhagad Fort | 15 kilometres |
| Pune City Centre | 20 kilometres |
| Pune Railway Station | 20 kilometres |
| Pune International Airport | 25 to 28 kilometres |
| Panshet Dam | 35 kilometres |
| Lavasa | 50 kilometres |
| Lonavala | 74 kilometres |
| Mumbai | 165 kilometres |
Timings and Entry Fee of Khadakwasla Dam
Khadakwasla Dam is a free, open-access public destination that welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset — no ticket counter, no formal gate — just a dam, a lake, a food chowpatty, and the unhurried beauty of a Pune evening.
| Details | Information |
| Dam Visiting Hours | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (daily) |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee — free access |
| Food Stalls | Operational from afternoon to sunset — bhajji, bhel, bhutta, pani puri, tea |
| Boating | Available during certain months — nominal per-boat charges |
| Camping | Available in surrounding areas — contact local operators |
| Swimming | Prohibited — stay on embankment and designated areas only |
| Parking | Available near the dam area — free for most visitors |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning (mist on the lake) or late afternoon to sunset (golden hour photography) |
How to Reach Khadakwasla Dam
Khadakwasla Dam is accessible from Pune by road via three alternate routes — Sinhagad Road being the fastest and most direct — with PMPML bus services and ride-hailing cabs available throughout the day.
From Pune City Centre / Swargate
Take Sinhagad Road southwestward → Kudje Khadakwasla Link Road → approximately 20 kilometres — 40 to 50 minutes by cab or two-wheeler. PMPML buses from Swargate to Khadakwasla Dharan stop are frequent.
From Pune Railway Station
Take cab or bus via Sinhagad Road → approximately 20 kilometres — 45 to 55 minutes.
From Pune International Airport
Take cab via NH-48 or Airport Road → connect to Sinhagad Road → approximately 25 kilometres — 45 to 55 minutes.
Via Karve Road (via Kothrud)
Take Karve Road from the city → continue southwest toward Khadakwasla — good alternative route avoiding city centre traffic.
Best Time to Visit Khadakwasla Dam
Khadakwasla Dam transforms dramatically across seasons — the monsoon brings a full, dramatic reservoir while winter delivers the most consistently pleasant conditions for picnics, photography, and lakeside strolls.
| Season | Months | Experience |
| Monsoon (Best Season) | June to September | Dam fills to capacity — sluice gates may open — spectacular water views — lush hills |
| Post-Monsoon / Winter | October to February | Full lake — cool pleasant weather — ideal for picnics, photography, and sunset watching |
| Summer | March to May | Warmer — early morning and evening visits recommended — fewer crowds |
| Year-round | All months | Best times of day: sunrise for misty reflections; 4 PM to 6 PM for food stalls and golden-hour views |
Weekdays offer a far more peaceful experience than weekends. Monsoon season (July to September) is peak crowd time — plan an early morning arrival to secure embankment space.
Nearby Places to Visit Khadakwasla Dam
Khadakwasla Dam forms the western anchor of one of Pune’s richest heritage and nature circuits — with Sinhagad Fort dominating the southern skyline and an array of dams, caves, and forts within short driving distance.
| Place | Distance | Description |
| Sinhagad Fort | 15 km | Pune’s legendary 17th-century Maratha fort — iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji association — trekking and heritage |
| National Defence Academy (NDA) | 1 km | India’s premier tri-services military academy — views of the campus from the dam road |
| Panshet Dam | 35 km | Twin dam to Khadakwasla — water activities including boating and kayaking |
| Varasgaon Dam | 38 km | Third dam in the Pune water supply cluster — picturesque backwaters |
| Peacock Bay | 5 km | Scenic natural cove on the Khadakwasla backwaters — bird watching and sunrise spot |
| Rajgad Fort | 44 km | Chhatrapati Shivaji’s longest-serving capital fort — challenging full-day trek |
| Lavasa | 50 km | Planned hill city — colourful Italian-styled architecture — lakeside promenade |
| Torna Fort | 44 km | First fort captured by Shivaji — demanding but rewarding trek in the Sahyadri hills |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where is Khadakwasla Dam located?
A: Khadakwasla Dam is on the Mutha River, off Sinhagad Road near Khadakwasla Village, Haveli Taluka, Pune District — PIN 411024 — approximately 20 kilometres from Pune city centre, beside the National Defence Academy.
Q2. What are the timings of Khadakwasla Dam?
A: The dam is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is no entry fee. Food stalls operate from afternoon to sunset. Boating is seasonally available with nominal charges.
Q3. What is the best time to visit Khadakwasla Dam?
A: Monsoon (June to September) for a full reservoir and dramatic views, and October to February for the best weather. Evenings between 4 and 6 PM are ideal year-round for the food stall atmosphere and golden-hour photography.
Q4. Why is Khadakwasla Dam called Pune’s Chowpatty?
A: The food stalls, family evening walks, and lively waterfront atmosphere at Khadakwasla Lake — with vendors selling bhajji, bhel, corn, and tea — closely resemble the beach evening culture of Mumbai’s Chowpatty, earning the nickname.
Q5. Is there an entry fee at Khadakwasla Dam?
A: No — Khadakwasla Dam is completely free to visit. Parking is also free for most visitors. Only boating and camping with private operators carry any charges.
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