Projects which could provide some respite for the water starved Marathwada,stuck due to lack of approvals from the state government

Almost 1735 small dams in the Beed, Jalna and Aurangabad districts of Marathwada are lying under utilised due lack of sanction of a measly from irrigation standards of Rs 171 crores, which has potential to increase the irrigation upto 17453 hectares, this information was provided to RTI activist Anil Galgali by the Rural Development and Water conservation dept. The issue pending since February 2014 to January 2015 exposes the seriousness of the state government of its intention to quench the thirst of Marathwada. RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with the Rural Development and Water conservation dept of the Govt of Maharashtra on 01/09/2015 seeking information about the repairs to the small dams based on the kolhapur pattern. The Desk officer of the department informed Anil Galgali that, for the repairs and maintenance of the small dams for water conservation, The Chief Engineers office in the Pune has demanded Rs 170 crores 57 lakhs 77 thousand for 1735 small dams situated in Beed, Jalna and Aurangabad which has currently holding a potential for irrigation of 25128 hectares. If these dams under the Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) project are repaired and maintain, it will increase the potential of irrigation by 17543 hectares taking it to 42671 hectares. Beed district has 575 Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) projects in need of urgent repairs and maintenance, if undertaken and completed will increase the potential by 4119 hectares, which is currently at 9661 hectares, thereby increasing the potential by 43%. Jalna similarly has 414 mini irrigation (Water Conservation) projects with the current potential of 4475 hectares, with repairs it is estimated to increase the potential by 2527 hectares. Aurangabad has 746 similar projects which can increase the potential by 10897 hectares, which is currently at 28535 hectares. Anil Galgali has expressed his view that it is of utmost urgency that the funds be sanctioned immediately to quench the thirst of Marathwada. If the urgent attention is given to the Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) projects instead of the pet Jal Yukt shivar project of the state government the results would be faster and will save huge revenue for the govt and also Increase the irrigation potential. It should immediately sanction Rs 171 crores, which will increase the irrigation potential by 17453 hectares which will certainly some what quench the thirst of Marathwada demanded Galgali in a letter addressed to CM Devendra Fadnavis. He further expressed regret the delay in taking the decision by the BJP govt leading to non repairs of the small dams and reduced irrigation potential, that almost 745 farmers gave up their lives in Marathwada alone due to lack of water and irrigation.