The Maharashtra cabinet recently approved the ambitious Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project, a significant initiative aimed at boosting irrigation in the Vidarbha region. This project comes as a ray of hope for the farmers in Vidarbha, who have been grappling with issues like water scarcity and farmer suicides for years. With an estimated cost of ₹87,342.86 crore, the project is set to cover approximately 3.75 lakh hectares of land in six districts and benefit 15 towns in the region.
The Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project involves redirecting water from the Wainganga river in the Godavari basin to the Nalganga project in Buldhana district through the construction of 426.52km of link canals. This move is expected to provide irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supply to the 15 talukas across Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, and Buldhana districts in Vidarbha. Additionally, the project aims to bring relief to the drought-prone regions of Marathwada by diverting excess water to adjoining districts like Hingoli and Parbhani.
One of the key features of the project is the construction of 31 storage reservoirs to facilitate water usage during the Rabi season. This strategic move will ensure that water is available for agricultural activities even during the dry season, thereby boosting agricultural productivity in the region. The project is expected to be completed within a span of 10 years, with financial assistance from the central government. The initial phase of the project will require an investment of ₹1,232 crore.
In a bid to expedite pending irrigation projects and clear old dues, the state government has allocated Rs.13,308 crore for the water resources department and Rs.15,140 crore for welfare departments in a Rs.1.3 lakh crore vote-on-account for four months. This move underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring water supply to farmers and addressing the long-standing issue of water scarcity in the region.
Overall, the approval of the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project marks a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance irrigation infrastructure in Vidarbha. By providing a reliable source of water for agricultural activities, the project is poised to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of farmers in the region. With careful planning and execution, this project has the potential to not only boost agricultural productivity but also improve the overall socio-economic landscape of Vidarbha.