Nashik : Maharashtra’s Water Resources Minister (Godavari and Krishna Basin Development Corporation) Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Monday assured that all ongoing river-linking projects aimed at making the state drought-resilient will be completed on time.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Ulhas-Vaitarna-Konkan-Godavari River Linking Project Office at the Irrigation Bhavan in Nashik. The event was attended by several ministers including Chhagan Bhujbal (Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection), Narhari Zirwal (Food and Drug Administration), and Manikrao Kokate (Sports and Youth Welfare), along with local legislators and officials.
Highlighting the alignment of these projects with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Vikhe Patil said the initiatives are designed to address water scarcity in regions like Nashik, Sambhajinagar, and Marathwada.
He informed that ₹61 crore has been sanctioned for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Ulhas-Vaitarna interconnection scheme, which is expected to be completed by January 2026. Key projects under this mission include Damanganga-Ekardare, Damanganga-Vaitarna-Devnadi-Godavari, Ulhas-Vaitarna-Godavari, and Par-Godavari river links.
A proposal has also been submitted to the Central Government seeking 90% financial assistance for these projects.
Minister Chhagan Bhujbal emphasized the urgent need to complete the Kikvi dam before the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik and demanded full diversion of the anticipated 115 TMC water from river-linking to the Godavari basin.
Minister Manikrao Kokate pointed out that the initiative will significantly benefit farmers by fulfilling both drinking water and irrigation needs. He called for faster approvals and DPR preparation.
Minister Zirwal, meanwhile, said the new project office would facilitate better coordination and faster implementation. He also directed officials to desilt local dams to enhance water storage capacity.
The ministers also reviewed the newly inaugurated office’s facilities earlier in the day.
