a day ago
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.
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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.
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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
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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
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FUNDS FLOW (2012–2023)
Allocated: ₹20,617 crore
Spent on Vidarbha: ₹14,324 crore
Diverted elsewhere: ₹5,943 crore
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