Fadnavis for swift completion of irri projects to boost farmers' income
directed the water resources department (WRD) to expedite long-pending irrigation projects across Maharashtra, saying timely completion will provide lasting irrigation benefits and spur economic growth for farmers.
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A large number of irrigation projects in Vidarbha are also pending since long, as per the WRD officials.
"In some cases, tenders were floated after nearly 18 years. These projects must be completed to ensure consistent water supply to agriculture and financial prosperity in rural households," Fadnavis told officials at a high-level review meeting held in Mumbai on Wednesday. He instructed officials to ensure all internal roads in resettled villages are cement concrete and drainage lines are covered to avoid public health risk.
According to official data, 57 irrigation projects are currently underway in Maharashtra. These require a cumulative acquisition of 1,06,513ha of which 27,755ha is pending. Rehabilitation is in progress for 210 village settlements affected by the projects, of which 116 were completed and 94 are ongoing. Once completed, these projects are expected to bring 6.68 lakh hectares under irrigation and generate water storage capacity of 78.90 TMC.
Addressing district collectors via video conference asked them to urgently submit proposals for alternate forest land and complete compensatory afforestation wherever tree loss is likely. "We must also identify long-term water sources for the resettled population to avoid future scarcity," he added.
Emphasising prioritising land acquisition, Fadnavis said, "Once completed, irrigation capacity will increase in a big way, offer water access to farmers and raise their standard of living," adding for the need for swift land acquisition for the next phase of Jigaon project in Buldhana's Nandura tehsil.
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The meeting was attended by WRD ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Girish Mahajan, chief secretary Rajesh Kumar, and senior bureaucrats from the water resources, forest, and finance departments. WRD additional chief secretary Deepak Kapoor made a presentation on the state's ongoing projects.
Key directives by Fadnavis
- Complete long-pending irrigation projects without further delays
- Ensure quality civic amenities in all resettled villages
- Prioritise land acquisition for critical projects
- Avoid water scarcity in future by identifying sustainable sources now
- Use cement concrete for internal roads in rehabilitated areas
Statewide irrigation project status
- Total ongoing irrigation projects: 57
- Total land required: 1,06,513 hectares
- Land acquisition pending: 27,755 hectares
- Village settlements to be rehabilitated: 210
- Rehabilitation completed: 116 villages
- Rehabilitation in progress: 94 villages
Expected benefits after project completion
- Irrigation coverage: 6.68 lakh hectares
- Water storage capacity created: 78.90 TMC
- Boost in agricultural productivity
- Economic uplift of farming communities
Highlighted projects & observations:
- Kal River Project (Thane): Vital for metro drinking water supply
- Jigaon Project (Buldhana): Immediate land acquisition needed for next phase
- Emphasis on: Timely forest land replacement & afforestation
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