Focus only on small, medium dams

Struggling to get funds to complete its long pending irrigation projects, the water resources department is likely to skip works of big dams this year too. In the budget to be presented in March 2016, the water resources department is likely to propose funding for small and medium dams which are close to completion.

Last year also, the works of the big dams were not given priority and instead, small and medium dams were funded. However, out of the targeted 48 dams, 39 could be completed. The department has requested chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make provision of at least Rs 30,000 crore by taking loan to complete the works as the department budget is only Rs 7,000 crore every year.

“We have demanded Rs 10,000 crore from the budget and more Rs 30,000 crore through loans and other medium. It is difficult to complete projects in the absence of funds. We are planning to fund small and medium projects in the coming budget. The bigger projects require more funds,” water resources minister Girish Mahajan said.

The state had reserved funds for 48 irrigation projects last year but could complete 39. “There were some technical issues due to which the projects could not be completed. But we are reviewing the matter and soon it will be resolved,” Mr Mahajan said.

The minister admitted that incomplete works of dams have little hassles such as rehabilitation and compensation to the affected people. Also, at some places, the canals are not ready to provide water to the surrounding areas. Some of the projects are mired in corruption cases and some are still before the court. “So, this time also, we have given priority to projects which are nearing completion,” he said.

In 2015-16, the department has completed 39 small projects, creating an irrigation capacity of 71,411 hecatres. The rainfall might affect irrigation capacity this year, but final figures are awaited, said Mr Mahajan. The irrigation figure is usually compiled from water resources, revenue and agriculture departments.

The department also approved revised costs for 135 projects, of which a majority are in the drought-affected Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, the minister said.

The water resources department has been cautious over the approvals to revised cost escalation of the projects after the irrigation scam came to light. The department is taking extra care not to invite fresh controversy on the same issue.