Mumbai: The Centre has agreed to give Rs 10,000 crore for 107 irrigation projects in the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the central grant will benefit irrigation projects located in western Maharashatra, Marathwada, north Maharashatra and create huge a irrigation potential.

Irrigation minister Girish Mahajan said that the Centre’s sanction has been given to 86 irrigation projects on Tuesday, out of the proposed 107. “Nearly 1 lakh hectare land will be irrigated after the completion of these projects,” he said.

Mr Fadnavis met finance minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi on Tuesday with irrigation minister Mr Mahajan. The CM requested the FM that these projects are incomplete due to lack of funds since many years. Mr Mahajan said that they explained to the FM that if Rs 10,000 crore were provided by the Centre, the projects could be completed in two years. “There are 83 small projects and three are medium scale projects. Now, the state will give revised approval to those and central government will sanction the funds,” Mr Mahajan said.

There was a meeting with union minister Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and others. They reviewed progress of many rail and other projects. The CM had discussion with Nrupendra Mishra, principle secretary, PMO on various issues.