Latest news with #JalyuktShivar
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra has big dams, but we face water imbalance: CM
Nagpur: Maharashtra's deep regional water disparities persist despite hosting some of India's largest irrigation projects, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Vidarbha Pani Parishad. "Big dams alone can't resolve the issue. The real solution lies in small, sustainable conservation structures," he stated, advocating for localised water planning. He highlighted the success of Jalyukt Shivar under the Baliraja Project, which ensured convergence of departments under district collectors, boosting participation and impact. Fadnavis also backed the Centre's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, calling it the "deadliest blow" to Pakistan and a precursor to "Operation Sindoor." He warned that water wars are no longer distant possibilities, urging wise use and conservation amid mounting national and global water stress. "Water has been at the heart of civilisations — from the Saraswati to Sindhu to African rivers," said Fadnavis, adding that in modern times, unchecked use, especially in agriculture, has become a major concern. "Whenever water availability rises, we shift to cash crops and overuse it. We must act wisely in usage and conservation." Speakaing about Jalyukt Shivar, he said, "Unlike earlier fragmented schemes split across 14 departments, this one was coordinated under district collectors. All officials, irrespective of departments, reported directly to the collector. This streamlined planning, execution, and participation." With Rs700 crore raised through public contribution, the scheme benefited over 20,000 villages, notably in Marathwada, improving groundwater levels. A 2018 HC petition led to an expert panel, which verified the scheme's success. In 2020, the Centre's Groundwater Report confirmed Maharashtra as the only state with consecutive annual water level rises. "Even with just 75% rainfall, we faced no scarcity," he said. Among key projects, Fadnavis cited the Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking initiative — a 500km project spanning seven districts in Vidarbha — aimed at redirecting surplus water toward the Godavari basin. Similar efforts include five other river-linking schemes and the Tapi Water Recharge Project, set to shift 35 TMC water to saline-affected areas. Since 2014, the state has completed 90 irrigation projects, including the near-completion Gosikhurd Dam. Post-2017, it has shifted to piped distribution systems, saving 8 TMC of water and boosting efficiency. Fadnavis also praised Israel's water practices, such as micronutrient delivery and precision irrigation, as models being adopted in Maharashtra. He flagged river and nullah pollution, attributing 90% of it to untreated domestic waste. "Industries get blamed, but citizens are major contributors," he said, urging better sewage systems in cities like Nagpur, Pune, and Mumbai. Warning of rising inter-district water conflicts like Nashik vs Marathwada, Fadnavis stressed that solutions, not demands, are the way forward. Earlier, Nagpur University's acting vice-chancellor Madhavi Khode Chaware inaugurated the Wainganga Water Exhibition at Vanamati. Over 150 students, scholars, and activists participated, showcasing posters, research papers, and models focused on water conservation and sustainability. (Inputs by Krisha Panchmatia) * * * * **************** THE WATER STORY * Rs 700 crore raised by villagers under Jalyukt Shivar Yojana 20,000 villages benefited under Jalyukt Shivar 90 irrigation projects completed since 2014 8 TMC water saved through efficient usage methods 3%: Water absorption rate in Maharashtra, (compared to 22% in Uttar Pradesh) 56 TMC water from Konkan redirected to Godavari 35 TMC water under Tapi Water recharge Project 500 km new river being created under Wainganga–Nalganga river linking
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra development juggernaut rolls on
Keshav Upadhye, a young, dynamic and prominent face, has been working with the Bharatiya Janata Party for over two decades. In 2014, the then state president Devendra Fadnavis had appointed Upadhye as the spokesperson in his team. Owing to his journalistic background and better understanding of the socio-economic issues of the state, Upadhye made a mark as a spokesperson in a short span. He articulates the views of the party and aggressively defends the party on various platforms including the Marathi and Hindi national news channels. Keshav Upadhye worked for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and after completing his degree in Journalism from Ranade Institute, Pune, he began his career as a journalist with daily Pudhari, Loksatta and Mumbai Tarun Bharat. Knowing the pulse of the news, he writes on varied topics and on various platforms like the newspapers, blogs and other social media platforms. He was involved in two study groups formed by the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in 2006 to study the naxalite movement and its adverse impact on the development of Chhatisgarh. The Prabodhini later published this report. He was also a part of the Prabodhini's fact-finding committee formed to study the Solapur riots. LESS ... MORE In the financial year 2024-25, Maharashtra has attracted a record foreign direct investment of Rs 1,64,875 crore. Maharashtra has once again topped the country in foreign direct investment. This has proved that foreign investors have shown tremendous faith in the decisions and policies of the Mahayuti government in the last 3 years. In the financial year 2024-25, India attracted the foreign direct investment of Rs 4,21,929 crore. 40 percent of this investment has been made in Maharashtra. There has been as much as 32 percent rise in investment compared to the last year. Out of this an investment of Rs 25,441 crore has been made in Maharashtra in the last quarter i.e January to March 2025. Maharashtra has set a new record of the highest foreign investment in the last 10 years. This is the proud moment in the tenure of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Since 2014, the state is moving rapidly towards its aim of 'developed Maharsahtra' under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis. The foundation for all-round development of Maharashtra was laid during the five year period from 2014 to 2019. Projects like Metro, Samruddhi Mahamarg, river linking project, Jalyukt Shivar showcase the vision of prosperous development of the state. Projects worth Rs 1,48,380 crore have been started for 337 km long metro in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMRDA) alone. Multiple projects like Navi Mumbai Airport costing Rs 19,600 crore, Vadhavan Port project costing Rs 76,220 crore, Atal Setu and Coastal Road have been underway in the state since 2014. Fadnavis government has taken many decisions considering the future needs of the state. Fadnavis government has shown a futuristic vision of development through projects like solar energy subsidy scheme for rooftop solar energy use, construction of 1500 km long new roads across the state, Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, Shaktipeeth Mahamarg, Nar-Par-Girna river linking project, Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project. Uddhav Thackeray betrayed BJP and formed the Maha Vikas Agadhi in 2019. Over a period of next two and half years, i.e till July 2022, Uddhav Thackeray kept no stone unturned in showing his anti-development face and his poisonous hatred for BJP by suspending many development schemes launched by Devendra Fadnavis. The two and half year rule of Uddhav Thackeray government took Maharashtra 20 years back in terms of development. The Mahayuti government of BJP-Shiv Sena under the leadership of Eknath Shinde came to power in July 2022 and the development of the state regained pace. Projects like Airbus, Foxconn moved out of Maharashtra because of Uddhav Thackeray's inaction only. This same inaction of Uddhav Thackeray was the reason behind Vedanta semiconductor project also moving out of Maharashtra. During the two and half years of Uddhav Thackeray's rule the development schemes launched during Fadnavis government were suspended one after the other. Uddhav Thackeray's decision to stop the crucial project like Mumbai Metro was driven by his revenge mentality. Devendra Fadnavis was trying to start the Tata Airbus project in Nagpur since 2017. Uddhav Thackeray did not do the required follow up for investment projects after becoming Chief Minister. Uddhav Thackeray, who himself was running the state from home via Facebook live, had launched a propaganda campaign against the Mahayuti government. But the people of the state gave a fitting reply to this campaign in the assembly elections. The Mahayuti government has set an example of what happens when the government speedily provides necessary facilities to investors. Investors trust a government that provides them with facilities like land, water, electricity along with required licenses swiftly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved his determination by making the country a fifth largest economy. Prime Minister Modi has dreamt of making the country's economy a five billion trillion economy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is working relentlessly, so that Maharashtra contributes in realizing this dream of Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Minister has set a goal to realize this dream by 2027. Chief Minister Fadnavis has created a favourable environment for investment by implementing industry-friendly policies. We are witnessing this record foreign direct investment as an effect of this. There is absolutely no doubt that this development juggernaut of Maharashtra will be unstoppable now. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
