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Time of India
14 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
NGO slams Maha govt for stalling key irrigation projects in Vidarbha
Nagpur: The Loknayak Bapuji Aney Memorial Committee has accused the Maharashtra govt of apathy and misplaced priorities for the prolonged neglect of irrigation development in Vidarbha. In a statement earlier this week, committee convenor Avinash Kale alleged that the state's deliberate delay in executing these crucial projects deprived the region of its rightful share in irrigation infrastructure and sustainable water resources. "This is not just neglect, it is a cruel mockery of Vidarbha's farmers and their future," Kale said. Data released by the committee paints a grim picture of irrigation progress in Vidarbha, where three projects under the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) made only partial headway over the past two decades. Of the 45 Type-1 major dam projects, only 22 were completed, while work continues on the rest. Out of a total of 5,21,435ha targeted for irrigation, only 3,35,000ha was brought under coverage. Just 8 out of 33 in Type-2 medium projects were completed, with 19 ongoing, five cancelled, and one abandoned. Although the aim was to irrigate over 4,58,896ha, a mere 17,649ha became functional in the last 10 years. Type-3 minor projects show similar stagnation — 16 were completed and 17 are underway, 11 were scrapped and 9 have not even begun out of a total 53 projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Of the 1,18,080ha proposed, only 69,602ha is currently irrigated. Overall, just 40% of the 1.09 million ha planned for irrigation was achieved in 15 years, the committee claimed. It said that 29 projects — either cancelled or rendered obsolete due to delays — will never bring the intended 73,378ha under irrigation. An additional 10 projects remain stalled for 30 years due to lack of forest clearances, permanently denying irrigation to another 67,563ha. In total, over 1,40,000ha of cultivable land in Vidarbha will never receive water, despite technical feasibility. Between 2012 and 2023, the state received ₹20,617cr for irrigation in the region, but only ₹14,324cr was actually spent on Vidarbha, with the remaining ₹5,943cr diverted elsewhere. ========================================================== Vidarbha's Irrigation Crisis BIG PICTURE 40% — Share of planned irrigation achieved in 15 years ₹5,943cr — Funds diverted from Vidarbha between 2012–2023 1,40,941ha — Cultivable land that will never get irrigation water ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROJECT STATUS – VIDC PROJECTS Type-1: Major Dams Total: 45 Completed: 22 Ongoing: 23 Target area: 5,21,435ha Achieved: 335,000 ha ----------------------------------------------------------- Type-2: Medium Projects Total: 33 Completed: 8 Ongoing: 19 Cancelled: 5 Abandoned: 1 Target area: 4,58,896ha Achieved (last 10 years): 17,649 ha ------------------------------------------------------------ Type-3: Minor Projects Total: 53 Completed: 16 Ongoing: 17 Scrapped: 11 Not started: 9 Target area: 1,18,080ha Achieved: 69,602ha ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PERMANENT LOSSES Cancelled/obsolete projects: 29 → 73,378ha lost Stalled for 30+ years (forest clearance issues): 10 → 67,563ha lost Total loss: 1,40,941ha ------------------------------------------------------- FUNDS FLOW (2012–2023) Allocated: ₹20,617 crore Spent on Vidarbha: ₹14,324 crore Diverted elsewhere: ₹5,943 crore Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vidarbha irrigation backlog shrunk by 1.72L ha since 2012, govt to HC
Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt told the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court recently that irrigation potential of four Vidarbha districts Amravati, Washim, Akola, Buldhana — known for perennial irrigation backlog — was reduced by 1,72,430ha since 2012. Efforts are underway to eliminate the remaining backlog in Akola and Buldhana by June 2027. In a detailed affidavit, chief secretary Sujata Saunik asserted that Amravati and Washim's backlog was fully addressed by June 2024. Her affidavit was in response to a PIL by Loknayak Bapuji Aney Smarak Samiti convener Avinash Kale. Saunik said, "About 10,655ha in Akola will be covered by June 2025 and the remaining 14,530ha by June 2026. In Buldhana, 30,135ha will be tackled in three phases by June 2027." The affidavit was submitted following a stern directive from a division bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi, which last month had warned of possible contempt proceedings if the administration failed to furnish a detailed status report. In the same hearing, the bench expressed concern over the state's apparent inaction despite repeated court orders on Vidarbha's irrigation backlog. The state denied the petitioner's allegation of laxity in implementing irrigation schemes and outlined the current status of 102 targeted projects, of which 80 were completed, eight are partially complete, and 12 are under construction. Two other projects were handed over to the water conservation department, the HC was informed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Petitioner Kale earlier pointed out alleged regional disparity in allocations, stating that while projects in Sangli and Pune received Rs6,000 crore and Rs4,000 crore respectively, Vidarbha's 11 districts were collectively allocated only Rs2,000 crore in the previous financial year. To address persistent delays flagged in earlier hearings, the state noted that 100 projects received revised administrative approvals and budgetary allocations were secured. For 2024–25, Rs5,552.56 crore was allocated for Vidarbha's irrigation works, with Rs4,170.29 crore already disbursed. An additional Rs5,502.54 crore has been earmarked for 2025–26. The affidavit also detailed recent progress under Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation , claiming that 22 additional projects were completed between August 2023 and March 2024. It further clarified the status of 26 stalled projects — 17 cancelled and nine yet to begin — citing reasons such as wildlife protection restrictions, non-viable cost-benefit ratios, failed tenders, and local resistance. Rejecting claims of systematic neglect, the govt said, "Progress of all projects is being closely monitored and reports are regularly submitted to the HC." Irrigation Backlog Reduction in Vidarbha (2012–2025) #Section 1: Progress Overview Total Irrigation Potential Created: 1,72,430 hectares Backlog Districts Covered: Amravati, Washim, Akola, Buldhana #Section 2: District-Wise Status: District -------------- Backlog Status -------------- Target Year Amravati -------------- Cleared -------------- June 2024 Washim -------------- Cleared -------------- June 2024 Akola -------------- 25,185 ha (pending) -------------- June 2026 Buldhana -------------- 30,135 ha (pending) -------------- June 2027 #Section 3: Projects Execution Status Completed: 80 Partially Complete: 8 Under Construction: 12 Transferred to Water Conservation Dept: 2 #Section 4: Budget Allocation 2024–25: ₹5,552.56 crore (₹4,170.29 cr spent) 2025–26: ₹5,502.54 crore (Provision made)
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bapuji Aney Memorial Committee slams govt for decades of economic neglect, irrigation injustice in region
Nagpur: Marking 65 years since Vidarbha was merged with Maharashtra, the Bapuji Aney Smarak Samiti and regional activists denounced the state's economic policies as exploitative, calling for the creation of a separate Vidarbha state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a strongly worded statement issued on the eve of Maharashtra Day, the committee declared its protest against the persistent "economic terrorism" allegedly inflicted by successive western Maharashtra-dominated administrations. Advocate Avinash Kale, convenor of the committee, said, "Maharashtra Day is not a celebration for Vidarbha. It marks 65 years of betrayal and economic exploitation. Today, we urge the people of Vidarbha to resolve to build a separate state." Kale cited official affidavits submitted by the Maharashtra chief secretary before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court in PIL No.82/2011 to illustrate the financial disparity. "From 2012-13 to 2024-25, ₹26,994 crore was allocated for irrigation in Vidarbha, but only ₹16,563 crore was spent. Over ₹10,381 crore was diverted to western Maharashtra," he alleged. He also pointed to a continuing shortfall in irrigation coverage, with only four lakh hectares irrigated out of a potential 12 lakh hectares. "Every year, despite increasing farmer suicides due to lack of irrigation, the budgeted funds are either insufficient or reallocated," he said. In 2024-25, while ₹5,552 crore was provisioned, only ₹4,370 crore was sanctioned, and ₹4,170 crore actually spent — leaving ₹2,016 crore unutilised or diverted, according to Kale. "This is not governance, it is deliberate neglect," he said. "Even with a Vidarbha native like Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister, western Maharashtra continues to dominate resource distribution." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He also criticised the stalled Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking project, which has seen its projected cost balloon from ₹60,000 crore to ₹85,000 crore while still being at the survey stage. "This is nothing but dust thrown in the eyes of Vidarbha's people," Kale remarked. The statement was jointly issued by several prominent Vidarbha leaders and activists including Wamanrao Chatap, Arun Kedar, Prakash Pohare, Mukesh Masturkar, and Ganesh Sharma, who appealed to the region's residents to embrace the call for statehood. "Only a separate Vidarbha can end this historic injustice," they said.
