Latest news with #VidarbhaIrrigationDevelopmentCorporation
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rubber dam will hold back water on Gondia river
Nagpur: The Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) plans to a pump up a dam on the Bagh River, which flows through Gondia along the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border. Instead of a conventional concrete weir, VIDC plans to install an inflated rubber dam , which can go up to three metres in height. The rubber balloon will be strong enough to hold the river flow, increasing the water level. In times of flood, an inbuilt mechanism will deflate the rubber, allowing the water to flow away naturally. It is a new technology and would cost around Rs109 crore. Instead of building a concrete weir or a barrage, high-grade rubber walls filled with air will act as the barrier. Rubber makes the dam flexible; it will fall flat after the air is released when water has to be allowed to flow away, explained a VIDC engineer. The dam will have three spans held with piers, the source said. The need for a dam on the Bagh River arose due to the falling water level . Over the years, the level has depleted due to diversions for various uses like drinking water to even industries. Due to this, a lift irrigation scheme (LIS) remained unused. A river needs to have a certain minimum level of water for an LIS to operate. The Rajegaon Kati LIS nearby remained unused due to low water level of Bagh River. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ative o software antivírus do seu computador Clique aqui Undo The dam, which will be inflated in the post-monsoon period, will provide some depth to the river, raising the water levels enough to operate the LIS. During monsoons, the dam will be brought down by releasing the air, allowing the water to flow freely, the source said. Even a concrete dam could have been built. However, the Bagh river has typically heavy silt deposits. Following successive monsoons, there is a likelihood of the conventional dam getting covered by the silt, leading to the need for frequent clearing operations. Silt can even flatten a conventional weir. Instead, the rubber dam will flatten itself during the monsoons, and the silt will flow away with the water, said the source. The rubber dam, also called a balloon weir, will be procured through a tendering process. This was seen as an alternative to the silting problem, and the design was approved by the technical advisory committee of the state's water resource department (WRD). INFO HOPE FLOATS Balloon weir is high-grade rubber walls inflated with air, up to 3m high Strong enough to hold back river water In case of flood, inbuilt mechanism deflates balloon, allowing water to flow naturally Balloon weir will hold back enough water for Lift Irrigation System (LIS) to operate Dam will provide depth to river, raising water levels for LIS Concrete dam leads to accumulation of silt, requiring frequent dredging
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Officials draw HC ire over delays in Ambazari dam, Nag River project
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday slammed state agencies over prolonged delays in the Ambazari dam repair and Nag River rejuvenation projects. Taking serious note of the inaction, the court summoned senior officials and warned of possible contempt proceedings and scrutiny into the tendering process. A division bench comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi directed the divisional commissioner, Nagpur municipal commissioner, and Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) executive director to appear in person at 10.30am on Thursday. The officers were instructed to submit detailed affidavits on the current status of both projects. The court expressed strong dissatisfaction with VIDC over the lack of progress in constructing Godbole gates at Ambazari dam. Despite floating tenders four to five times, the agency reported that no bids were received — something not disclosed during earlier hearings. The bench questioned why internal mechanisms were not activated to proceed with the work despite repeated tender failures and criticised the agency for lack of transparency. "You want the same deluge to occur again? Are your officers asleep all these days?" the bench verbally remarked, in reference to the devastating floods of September 23, 2023. The judges further questioned, "Why was the work not expedited over the last two months, and with whom are the files currently pending?" by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The court also scrutinised the role of the divisional commissioner who heads a court-appointed committee overseeing the removal of river encroachments and flood mitigation efforts. Government Pleader Deven Chauhan was directed to identify the officer allegedly responsible for delaying the files related to the Nag River retention wall project. The bench warned VIDC of a possible deeper investigation into the tendering process, suggesting there may have been irregularities. "Are you at the mercy of contractors? Why hasn't the agency acted promptly?" the court asked. The bench warned VIDC that it may be compelled to "open a Pandora's box" into how tenders are being awarded to the contractors. The judges referred to past cases where tenders were allegedly granted within a day under questionable circumstances, implying that transparency and procedural integrity were being compromised. These directives were issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ramgopal Bachuka and others, represented by advocate Tushar Mandlekar. In an earlier affidavit, the divisional commissioner had informed the court that desilting work was underway across the Nag, Pili, and Pohra rivers. The state government has sanctioned Rs304 crore for river and nullah development, with tenders floated and some initial work already begun. The state also outlined its progress on infrastructure upgrades. Desilting commenced on February 6 and is scheduled for completion by June 15, 2025. The work covers 16.58 km of the Nag River, 17.42 km of the Pili river, and 15.17 km of the Pohra River. Photographic evidence of the ongoing work was submitted to the court. The affidavit further noted that 1 km of retaining wall has been completed along Nag River, with an additional 0.662km currently under construction. The irrigation department also reported the dewatering of 32.06 crore litres from Ambazari lake as a flood prevention measure.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gosikhurd project faces fourth cost escalation and extended delays
Nagpur: The state government has approved yet another cost escalation of over ₹7,400 crore for the long-delayed Gosikhurd irrigation project , pushing the total estimated cost to a staggering ₹25,972 crore. The latest revision marks a 6880% increase from the initial approved cost, highlighting the project's troubled legacy of delays, redesigns, and controversies. Launched with much fanfare, the Gosikhurd project — also known as Indirasagar, after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — had its foundation stone laid by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1983. At the time, the estimated cost was just ₹372 crore. Over the last four decades, however, the project has become symbolic of bureaucratic inertia and repeated cost overruns. So far, the state government has spent over ₹18,300 crore on the project, which was envisioned to eliminate irrigation backlogs in Vidarbha. The project is being executed by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC). On Tuesday, the state cabinet approved the revised estimate, allowing the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) to proceed with unfinished works. This marks the fourth official cost escalation in the project's history. A major revision in 2007 had raised the estimated cost from ₹5,600 crore to ₹18,494 crore. Protests by Project Affected Persons (PAPs) also contributed to the cost revision in the past, as demands for higher compensation were taken into account. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Officials said the cost increase is not merely due to inflation or delay, but also due to additions in the project's scope. Four new lift irrigation schemes have been incorporated to bring more farmland under irrigation. Funds will also be used for building canals, barrages, pipe distribution networks, and increasing the reservoir height. Additionally, over ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition in newly added areas. Despite repeated promises, the project continues to lag behind schedule. According to sources in the state's irrigation department, the project is now expected to be completed by 2027, and the latest cost revision is likely to be the final one. Formal approval for the additional expenditure had been pending for over a year. Sources indicated that even without the addition of new works, the project was unlikely to be completed by the earlier target of March 2025. A delay in forest clearances and a lack of funding during certain years, particularly post-2011, further hampered progress. Often referred to as the "Bhakra Nangal of Vidarbha," the Gosikhurd project is designed to irrigate 2.59 lakh hectares of farmland. However, water currently reaches only 1.13 lakh hectares. While infrastructure has been developed to irrigate up to 1.96 lakh hectares, last-mile connectivity remains incomplete for the remaining areas. The project has also been the subject of political controversy and investigations. In earlier years, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) launched probes into alleged irregularities, with opposition parties targeting the then irrigation minister Ajit Pawar, who was part of the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Political dynamics have since shifted, but public scrutiny remains intense. Independent irrigation expert Pravin Mahajan welcomed the prompt approval, saying the revised budget will finally allow the project to reach its full potential. Please take as inset Original cost of dam: Rs 372 crore in 1983 Final approved cost: Rs 25,972 crore This is the fourth escalation Earlier cost was fixed at Rs 18,949 crore Out of this, Rs 18,300 crore has been spent Additional Rs 7,400 crore will be needed for new additions, completing old work, and land acquisition Dam located at Bhandara will cover Nagpur and Chandrapur districts too** Total area to be irrigated:2.59 lakh hectares Area covered so far: 1.13 lakh hectares. Over 90% of funds will come from state.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Gosikhurd project gets fourth financial boost; project cost jumps to Rs 25,972 crore
The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned the fourth administrative approval to the Gosikhurd National Project, taking the total cost of the project to Rs 25,972.69 crore. This project will benefit 1,96,600 hectares of area in Nagpur, Chandrapur and Bhandara districts. Gosikhurd Irrigation Project was approved in March 1983 to create irrigation potential in 2,50,800 hectares annually in Bhandara, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts. The project comprised construction of earthen dam and spillway, Left Bank Canal, Right Bank Canal, nine Lift Irrigation Schemes and augmentation of the existing Asolamendha tank. The project was declared as a 'National Irrigation Project' by the Government of India in February 2009. The project was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. The original cost of the project was then pegged at Rs 372 crore, which was later increased to Rs 5,659 crore. The Central Water Commission gave approval for the revised cost of Rs 7,778 crore in 2007. In March 2012, the project cost was again hiked to Rs 13,739 crore and then to Rs 18,500 crore in September 2016. The Gosikhurd National Project is being implemented by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation. This multipurpose project is being implemented at Gosikhurd (T Pavani) on the Wainganga river in the Wainganga sub-basin of the Godavari basin. This is a multipurpose project for irrigation, drinking water, industrial water supply and fisheries and hydropower generation. The irrigation area of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Bhandara districts will benefit from this project through open canal distribution, lift irrigation and closed pipe distribution. This project is included in the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchhan Yojana. In order to complete this national project in East Vidarbha on time, the expenditure of this project was approved as the fourth revised administrative approval in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Nod for four-lane road The cabinet also approved the construction of a four-lane elevated road and a parallel four-lane road from Talegaon to Chakan on the 53-km state highway of Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur in Pune district. In addition, a six-lane road from Chakan to Shikrapur was also cleared. The government will spend Rs 4206.88 crore for these projects.
