Maharashtra Accelerates Water Conservation Works Amid El Niño Warning

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered state officials to accelerate water conservation works under the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0, citing El Niño concerns, and mandated the submission of revised project plans by May 15. The directive follows a review of the Soil and Water Conservation Department's progress, with urgent repair works in villages prioritized to bolster groundwater levels ahead of the monsoon season.

As of now, 1,44,697 conservation works have been approved under the scheme, with 1,10,120 completed and the remainder underway. Officials have verified 12,27,000 out of 15,15,000 structures on-site, removed 477.73 lakh cubic metres of silt from 1,435 reservoirs, and restored water storage capacity benefiting over 73,000 acres. District-level desilting and 57 Amrit Sarovar constructions are on track for completion by June 15.

The government has also moved to clear encroachments at Malgujari lakes in Vidarbha, with repair works slated for completion by June. Fadnavis discussed enhanced central funding under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana with Union Ministers, while state officials confirmed the use of the Centre's VB-GRAM scheme for labor deployment and proposed bamboo plantation along drains to reduce siltation. The Soil and Water Conservation Department has submitted a five-year master plan proposing over 1.2 lakh works across 27,942 micro-watersheds.

The administration will monitor progress through weekly reviews, with district collectors required to submit fortnightly status reports to the Chief Minister's Office. The next high-level review is scheduled for May 20.