If all goes according to plan, Maharashtra will soon get water supply through a grid system on the lines of neighbouring Gujarat.
If all goes according to plan, Maharashtra will soon get water supply through a grid system on the lines of neighbouring Gujarat. This will bring uniformity in distribution of water and also provide water to parched regions of the state.
The first phase of the grid system would provide water to parched Marathwada regions, which are reeling under severe drought conditions since the past few years. It will also give an impetus to farming and industrial growth in the region. Marathwada will be supplied water through the Godavari river basin.
“We had recently visited Gujarat to study their grid network. Marathwada region of Maharashtra is facing water scarcity from a long time now, which affects farming and industries as well. On top of it, the rainwater does not get accumulated underground and goes into the sea,” finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told media persons on Tuesday.
He said there are five river basins in the state, through which water will be supplied to regions where it is needed. “There are some places, like Konkan region, that get good rainfall. But there are no measures in place to store rainwater. Once we put the grid system in place, water will be evenly supplied across the state,” he said. “After Gujarat put the grid system in place, 3.90 crore people are able to use the Narmada river water. Regions that initially required 7,000 water tankers for sustenance, the number has come down to a mere 100 tankers,” he added. Mr Mungantiwar said that the first meeting with experts took place on Tuesday and the intricacies would soon be discussed. “We dream of having a Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, we have decreased the rate of electricity for industries in Marathwada region and providing benefits to farmers. But there is simply no water. We will be able to put our development plan in place and provide water for farming once we have the grid system in place,” the minister said.
