The Maharashtra government is aiming to become drought-free and needs Rs 2.56 lakh crore to finish 225 irrigation projects. These projects have been in progress since July 2022, when Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister. At a recent state Cabinet meeting, data on the performance of the Irrigation Department was presented.
The total cost of the 225 irrigation projects, both old and new, is Rs 4.35 lakh crore. Of this amount, Rs 1.78 lakh crore has already been utilized, leaving a requirement of Rs 2.56 lakh crore for completion. The state is working on river-linking projects like Wainganga–Nalganga and Damanganga–Vaitarna–Godavari, which are expected to cost around Rs 1.15 lakh crore.
An official from the Irrigation Department clarified that the need for funds includes costs for new river-linking projects, not just revisions to existing ones. The state Cabinet was informed that these projects aim to create irrigation capacity for 33.44 lakh hectares, with 13.72 lakh hectares already developed.
The Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) leads in investment, with 88 projects costing Rs 2.77 lakh crore, of which only 47% has been spent. Following closely is the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC), with 45 projects costing Rs 56,982 crore, of which only 15% has been utilized. The Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) in western Maharashtra has seen 37% expenditure on 34 projects costing Rs 45,185 crore.
