Mumbai: Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who recently took charge of the water resources department held a marathon meeting in Mumbai to take stock of the pending irrigation projects in Maharashtra.

Mr Gadkari, who is known to be a taskmaster announced Rs 1000 crore funds to expedite 26 irrigation projects in the state.  

After the meeting, Mr Gadkari said, "From 20 per cent, the state irrigation capacity will be increased to 40 per cent in the next two years."

The union minister held meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, irrigation minister Girish Mahajan and all senior officers from irrigation department including officers from different statutory bodies on irrigation. Mr Gadkari took stock of the pending projects, which included those funded by central government as well.

Mr Gadkari said, "We have asked the Centre to release Rs 1,000-crore for different projects. The central government is funding 26 irrigation projects of which five are about to be completed." He also said that the government is working on two river linking projects in state for northern Maharashtra and Marathawada. "Around Rs 55,000-60,000 crore will be given to the state to complete these mega projects," Mr Gadkari said.

Mr Gadkari is planning to hold a meeting with Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Mr Fadnavis for the possibility of irrigation projects in Vidarbha.

Talking about the irregularities in the irrigation projects, Mr Fadnavis said that the truth would be out soon.