‘To make Maharashtra drought-free’: Fadnavis seeks PM’s help to expedite river-linking projects

Addressing a gathering in Ahmednagar, Fadnavis said, “Almost 50 per cent Maharashtra is drought-prone. To address the problems, we have to work on a lasting solution.”

Elaborating on two mega projects that the state government has been working on, Fadnavis said, “One of the projects envisages diverting Konkan river water into Godavari basin. The water can help in overriding drought in Marathwada and North Maharashtra,” he said.

Another ambitious project he revealed was Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project. “Over 100 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) water from Gosikhurd dam (river Wainganga) using lift irrigation is to be pumped into a 300-km long tunnel that will connect Waingana in Eastern Vidarbha with Nalganga in Western Vidarbha. This would address the drought in Western Vidarbha region.”

Fadnavis said, “I request the PM to help us in taking forward these projects. If we receive central funds and guidance it will progress rapidly.”

The concept of river-linking was mooted by Fadnavis when he was the chief minster of Maharashtra ( 2014-2019).

The objective is to utilize the excess water or flood waters of rivers flowing into sea in Konkan region using advanced technology to tackle drought in Marathwada, he said, adding that the estimate is each project would cost more than Rs 25,000 crore.

Therefore, state government believes Centre’s financial support was crucial in taking it ahead, Fadnavis added.

Earlier, while addressing the same gathering, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde exuded confidence that the Prime Minister will emerge victorious in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He referred to opposition INDIA bloc as a “ten-headed demon king Ravan”.

Shinde said, “One Modi alone is enough to demolish collective opposition which had tried similar model in 2014, 2019 elections and failed.”

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar hailed the development politics pursued by Modi adding that the Centre has always promoted the concept of “Saab ka saath, Saab ka Vikas”.