India, Dec. 1 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
An interstate agreement was concluded in 2003 between the States of Maharashtra and Telangana (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh), under which the Lendi Project was taken up as a joint venture of both Governments. To ensure overall supervision and effective control over planning and construction, an Interstate Board for Joint Irrigation Projects between Maharashtra and Telangana has been constituted.
With regard to the Babhali Barrage, the Government of Maharashtra has informed that, in compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the barrage gates remain lifted during the monsoon period i.e. 15th July to 28th October. Due to limited non-monsoon flows, Maharashtra has been unable to store water in the barrage. Furthermore, as mandated, Maharashtra is required to release 0.6 TMC of water to Telangana on 1st March each year. Further, regulation of the Babhali Barrage is overseen by a Supervisory Committee comprising officials from the Central Water Commission, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
As regards the Lendi Project, the Government of Maharashtra has informed that the entire quantum of water available at the project site has already been allocated for utilization. Consequently, the question of further enhancement of water resources at this site does not arise.
In 2018, the Government of India approved a Special Package for Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra aimed at expediting the completion of 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation projects across drought-prone districts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, and other regions of the State.
Under this initiative, two Surface Minor Irrigation projects namely Daresarsam and Maniramkhed have been completed, providing direct benefits to the Nanded district of Maharashtra.
In addition, the Upper Penganga Major Irrigation Project, benefitting the districts of Yavatmal, Hingoli, and Nanded has been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), thereby augmenting irrigation potential and supporting agricultural development in these regions.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
