Uma Bharti assures help for 132 irrigation projects in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: In a shot in the arm for the Maharashtra government, the Union ministry of water resources has agreed to take up 132 irrigation projects in 14 suicide-prone districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada at an estimated cost of Rs 7,188 crore. The development comes in the backdrop of a meeting between Union water resources minister Uma Bharti and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari was also present at the meeting.

According to the state government, out of the 132 projects, 98 are in Vidarbha and 34 in Marathwada.

Bharti also agreed to take up irrigation projects in 67 drought-prone areas and the Tapi mega recharge project. The Tapi recharge project will also help in raising water levels in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

The water resources ministry has also given an `in principle' nod to complete 26 irrigation projects in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana ( PMKSY). The Centre and the state will share the cost of these projects in 60:40 ratio.

Most importantly, the Cent re and the state have agreed to form a joint team to prepare plans to finish the long-delayed Gosikhurd project in Vidarbha. The project, which began 33-years back at an estimated cost of Rs 380 crore, was supposed to irrigate 250,800 hectares. It has now seen a major cost escalation and the state is now seeking Rs 8,167 crore to finish the project. The joint team has been asked to submit a report within 15 days to find a way to complete the project.

Tuesday's developments co me as a huge relief to the state government which is struggling with a farm crisis leading to farmers' suicide due to acute water crisis stretching for over four years now.