For completing the pending irrigation projects plus strengthen the last mile network so that farmers can have assured water at their disposal, Maharashtra Government has given nod to borrow Rs 15,000 crore from NABARD. The Water Resources Department (WRD) has finalised the list of 57 projects in Maharashtra, including 13 projects in Vidarbha Region, for availing the long term loan that would also be utilised to boost the irrigation potential. Also the WRD has listed 197 projects where it proposes to lay the piped distribution network for the command area. Government is gearing-up for the this major exercise aimed at leveraging its full potential of water share in Godawari and Tapi basin, that its shares with neighbouring States.

 

The 57 projects are at various stages of completion and due to insufficient funds their full potential could not be achieved. With the climate changes, the rains are not longer assured as they were earlier, and hence farmers are more dependent on irrigation to water the crops. The patchy rainfall also results in late sowing and in case farmers are assured of water availability the crop cycle can be maintained. This would also help the State in keeping the prices of food products under control, as it indirectly linked to inflation that affects the society at large. One more reason for achieving full irrigation potential is that it would enable farmers to achieve full flexibility and go for diversification. Further they can opt for multiple crops against backdrop of assured irrigation.

 

Also another advantage is that State can have more storage capacity as rain water can be stored for use during lean period, thus benefiting the farmers. Due to lack of irrigation facility, the farmers could not think of going of major cash crops. The WRD said at present 234 irrigation projects are ongoing and every year the State allocates Rs 17,000 to 19,000 crore through budgetary support. However, at the same time other ancillary projects, including hydro power, flood control, rehabilitation, Lok Adalat, land acquisition, requires nearly Rs 17,000 crore which stretches already thin margin for the State.

 

Hence, Rs 15,000 crore through NABARD on soft terms with long term payback period. The 13 projects with fund to be allotted to them are Lalnala-Chandrapur-Rs 72.89 cr, Dongargaon LIS-Gadchiroli-Rs 83.21 cr, Kotgal Barrage-Gadchiroli-Rs 297.20 cr, Bordinala-Amravati-Rs. 67.05 cr, Pandhri-Amravati-Rs 172.97 cr, Katepurna-Akola-Rs 133.20 cr, Wardha Barrage-Rs 186.41 cr. All these are medium projects and in first phase 36 projects are approved by WRD and total allocation is Rs 3982.95 cr. The other projects that have been identified for completion in second stage are Kochi Barrage (Kanhan River)-Nagpur-Rs 300.27 cr, Surewada LIS-Bhandara-Rs 299.27 cr, Patia-Amravati-Rs 29.38 cr, Sattaar Sawanga Barrage-Washim-Rs 146.49 cr, Chota Shivani Barrage-Washim-Rs 185.90 cr, and Borva Barrage-Washim- Rs 123.32 cr. So for these six projects, an allocation of Rs 5000 crore is proposed.