World Bank to provide Rs 2,328 crore aid for flood management project
Project entails diverting flood water from Kolhapur, Sangli to drought-hit Marathwada
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The project costs Rs 3,326 crore and the World Bank will provide Rs 2,328 crore in financial assistance. The remaining Rs 998 crore will be provided by the state government. (Express File Photo)The World Bank has given its consent to finance a flood management project that entails diverting surplus rain water from Kolhapur and Sangli region to drought-hit Marathwada of Maharashtra. The project costs Rs 3,326 crore and the World Bank will provide Rs 2,328 crore in financial assistance. The remaining Rs 998 crore will be provided by the state government.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had embarked on this ambitious project during his tenure as state CM from 2014 and 2019. However, post the 2019 Assembly elections, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government came to power, the project was put on the back burner.
In June 2022, when the BJP-led coalition returned to power, Fadnavis once again revived the project. The stated objective of the project was flood management in Sangli and Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra. The excess flood water from Sangli and Kolhapur will be diverted to drought-hit districts of Marathwada using advanced technology.
Heavy rains in Mumbai has led to waterlogging in Andheri Subway.(Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)
According to official records a World Bank team visited the flood affected Sangli and Kolhapur region on September 12, 2019. Later, they held a meeting with then CM Devendra Fadnavis. The decision to go ahead with the project was taken immediately.
“The project was significant as the project would provide relief to both western Maharashtra and Marathwada region. It will help tackle both recurring drought in Marathwada and flood management in Sangli and Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.
With the help of advanced technology, work will be undertaken in the Krishna and Bhima river valley. The flood water will be diverted from Kolhapur and Sangli to Marathwada through various water structures. To enable this, the project work includes desilting and deepening the rivers and tributaries. NITI Aayog has also given a positive report on this project.
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