Maharashtra River Linking Project: Sharing river waters for drought relief
By connecting rivers and creating reservoirs, canals, and wells, water can be stored and then released to irrigate fields in the drought-prone areas. This also allows a percentage of stored water to percolate into the ground and recharge aquifers.
The River Linking Project, Maharashtra, was launched as a sustainable water management approach in Maharashtra to share the water resources to provide water to drought-affected areas. This concept was first implemented in 2005 in the Jalgaon district. The then District Collector of Jalgaon and officials of the Water Resources Department, Maharashtra, conducted an innovative experiment of diverting excess floodwater flowing during the monsoon to water-deficient areas for domestic and irrigation purposes. This experiment provided water to more than 16 thousand wells in many drought-affected areas and relieved the people considerably during the dry seasons. Inspired by this, in 2017, the Devendra Fadnavis government formalized the River Linking Project policy in Jalgaon district and included it in the District Annual Plan. Next year, in 2018, the Fadnavis Devendra government approved four intra-state and one inter-state river-linking projects and started their implementation.
The River Linking Project, Maharashtra, will be a practical solution for the state, which experiences both floods and droughts in different areas. On one hand, irrigation and groundwater recharge will be possible in the drought-prone areas like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and north Maharashtra; on the other hand, it will save the flood-prone areas, such as Sangli, Kolhapur, Raigad, Pune, etc., from getting flooded during the monsoon season.
After the success of Jalyukt Shivar Yojana, the river linking project was taken forward as a long-term solution for water security. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, also nicknamed ‘Waterman,’ gave impetus to this initiative, which might prove a crucial decision in bringing about a fundamental change in Maharashtra’s water management.
23
Aug 2017
Inclusion of the Jalgaon District River Interconnection Project in the District Annual Plan
The experiment done by the District Collector and Water Resources Department officials of Jalgaon district in 2005 to address the water scarcity situation in the district had proved beneficial. Taking a cue from that, the state government decided to include the river-linking plan in the state policy. Meanwhile, the National River Interconnection Project was underway at the national level by the central government. But that would be a large and time-consuming plan involving many aspects at a much higher cost. Therefore, the state government decided to take up the local-level projects of interconnecting rivers and water basins in the districts by incorporating the Jalgaon District River Interconnection Project policy in the district annual plans. Accordingly, the Devendra Fadnavis government issued a government decision on 23 August 2017 and started the work of promoting the river interconnection project.
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4
Jun 2018
Approval for Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari (Kadvadev) Upstream River Linking Project
A preliminary positive report was received by the state government regarding the preparation of the Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari Upstream Linking Scheme to divert the excess water of the western channel rivers of the two basins of Damanganga and Vaitarna towards the east to the Godavari basin. The state government decided to conduct a further in-depth survey and investigation on this. Approval was taken to prepare a detailed project report for this. The Devendra Fadnavis government approved an expenditure of Rs 23 crore 14 lakh 54 thousand 680 for the said project. Its government decision was published on 4 June 2018.
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15
Nov 2018
Inclusion of all river linking projects in the state in the district annual plan
The state government has decided to formulate a policy for river-linking projects in all districts of the state and include them in the district annual plan. The state government has decided to implement the policy decided for the project in Jalgaon district for river-linking projects in all districts of the state. The government decision in this regard was published on 15th November 2018.
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19
Jul 2019
Devendra Fadnavis appeals to Japan for investment in river linking project!
Projecting drought-free Maharashtra as a critical goal for the state government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to Japanese companies for investments in river and irrigation development projects in the state. A Japanese delegation, including Japan’s special ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. During the meeting, discussions were held with Japanese companies regarding cooperation on various projects in the state. Earlier, the state government had launched the water-grid project to provide water to the people in drought-affected areas, with financial assistance from Japan. Similarly, Devendra Fadnavis discussed with the Japanese delegation for investment in the river-linking project as well.
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30
Jul 2019
Water will be brought from Konkan for drought-stricken Marathwada!
The Water Resources Department had submitted a proposal to the Cabinet regarding the proposed river linking project to divert water from the Paschim Vahini river basin to Marathwada in the Godavari basin. In this proposal, it was decided to implement the inter-state Damanganga-Pinjal-River Linking Project and the intra-state Nar-Par-Girna, Par Godavari, Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari and Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari river linking projects as intra-state projects instead of implementing them as national projects. Due to this river linking project, it was decided to make 31.60 billion cubic feet of water available from Konkan for Mumbai city, 25.60 billion cubic feet for the Marathwada area in the Godavari basin, and 10.76 billion cubic feet for the Tapi basin. At the same time, the jurisdictions of the river linking projects Damanganga-Pinjal, Nar-Par-Girna, Par-Godavari, Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari and Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari are divided into three corporations. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a separate Chief Engineer’s position to bring coordination and uniformity in the implementation of these projects.
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19
Sep 2019
Devendra Fadnavis government will implement 1 interstate and 4 intrastate river linking projects
The decision to implement the interstate Damanganga-Pinjal river linking project and the Nar-Par-Girna, Par-Godavari, Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari and Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari river linking projects as intrastate projects was approved in the cabinet meeting. Also, these proposed river-linking projects are divided into the jurisdiction of 3 to 4 corporations. Therefore, for the joint implementation of these projects and to ensure synergy among them, it was decided to establish a separate Chief Engineer’s Office specifically under the river linking specific projects. Accordingly, the government decision was published in this regard on 19 September 2019.
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29
Oct 2020
Study group formed to study river linking project
A study group of 8 members was formed under the chairmanship of the Director General of Mary Institute, Nashik, to study the priority of the river linking project in the state, its parameters, such as how much water is available in which basin, from which basin water can be diverted, to prepare a basin-wise report, etc. This study group was asked to submit its report before 31 March 2021.
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10
Dec 2020
Decision to set up a River Linking Project Coordination Cell in Nashik
To solve the problem of water scarcity in Nashik and Aurangabad divisions, the state government has taken up the river linking project within the state. Since these projects come under different departments, it was decided to set up a River Linking Project Coordination Cell in Nashik to prepare and submit the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of these projects with proper coordination among them. This coordination cell will update the government on this project, complete the various works within the stipulated time periods, and submit a progress report of the overall project to the government. It will also review the work of the projects being carried out by various corporations and report the aggregate information to the government, etc.
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27
Dec 2022
Minimum land acquisition for the project
All necessary permissions for the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project will be obtained from the state government, to complete the project as soon as possible, accelerating its beneficial effects in Vidarbha. The project will use mostly government lands and minimum private lands. Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Devendra Fadnavis also assured the Legislative Assembly on December 27, 2022, that the districts of Vidarbha will get sufficient water from this project. Meanwhile, the river-linking project was started in 2019. Its proposal was sent to the state-level technical advisory committee to study the project technically. But it had been lying in the dust for two and a half years during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. In July 2022, there was a change of power in Maharashtra, and the Mahayuti government came to power in the state, with Devendra Fadnavis came back to power as the Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister. As soon as he assumed the responsibilities, Devendra Fadnavis assured the Legislative Assembly that the proposal, which has been lying in the dust for the past two and a half years, will be placed for approval to the Technical Advisory Committee within two months, sent to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority for its clearance, and passed the state cabinet meeting within the next month, before floating tenders for it. A 79 km long tunnel and 9 dams will need to be constructed for this project. The Maharashtra government has asked for a fund of Rs 7 thousand crores to implement this project.
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9
Mar 2023
The river linking project is to be implemented with state government funds!
The river linking project will be undertaken by the state government to address the water deficit in the sub-basins of Nar-Par, Ambika, Auranga, Damanganga, Vaitarna, and Ulhas rivers in North Konkan to Mumbai city and Godavari basin. This project will benefit Marathwada, Nashik, Ahmednagar, and Jalgaon districts of North Maharashtra. The excess water flowing during the monsoon in the Wainganga basin will be diverted to the low-rainfall areas of Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, Buldhana and Washim districts of Vidarbha through the Wainganga-Nalkanga-Painganga river linking project.
The water from the sub-basins of Nar-Par, Ambika, Auranga, Damanganga, Vaitarna, and Ulhas rivers will be diverted through the river linking project and used for Mumbai and adjoining areas. This project will benefit the districts of Marathwada and North Maharashtra, Nashik, Nagar, Jalgaon. Also, the water flowing from the Wainganga basin will be made available to Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, Buldhana, Washim districts through the Wainganga-Nalganga-Painganga River Linking Project.
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4
Jan 2024
Approval to provide water from Gosikhurd project for Wainganga-Nalganga project
A decision was made in the state cabinet meeting to relax the stipulated water availability required for the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project to clear the backlog of irrigation in Vidarbha. Under the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project, the monsoon water will be diverted from the Wainganga sub-basin to the Nalganga project in Buldana district in the Purna Tapi basin through a canal in the Gosikhurd project in Bhandara district. For this, 62.57 TMC of water is required. The Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal has given permission to use this water. Accordingly, the government decision was approved on February 6, 2024 to provide water as per 63 percent reliability of the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project.
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10
Jul 2024
Governor approves in principle for Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote a letter to Hon’ble Governor Ramesh Bais on 9 July 2024 requesting his approval for the immediate approval of the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project. The Governor accepted this demand in principle. This Rs 80,000 crore project will change the irrigation picture of Vidarbha.
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9
Aug 2024
Governor also approved the Nar-Par-Girna river linking project
After Wainganga-Nalganga, the Honorable Governor also approved the Nar-Par-Girna river linking project. Under this scheme, 10.64 TMC of water is expected to be flown in from the western channel Nar-Par-Girna river basin, which will benefit 49,516 hectares of area in Nashik and Jalgaon districts. This project is worth about Rs 7,015 crore. This will be another historic step in sharing the water resources of the state.
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16
Aug 2024
Administrative approval for Nar-Par-Girna River Linking Project
After the approval of Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, now the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) has also given administrative approval to the Nar-Par-Girna River Linking Project. This has paved the way for further momentum for this project. Nar-Par-Girna is a Rs 7,015 crore project. It proposes to utilize 10.64 TMC of water from the Western Channel river basin. 49,516 hectares of area in Nashik and Jalgaon districts will get irrigation benefits.
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20
Aug 2024
Administrative approval for Wainganga-Nalganga River Link Project
Through the proposed Wainganga-Nalganga River Link Project, the excess water during the monsoon at the Gosikhurd Project in Bhandara district on the Wainganga River will be diverted to the Nalganga Project in Buldhana district in the Tapi Valley. The Hon’ble Governor has approved this through a letter dated 10 July 2024. Meanwhile, this project has been divided into two parts namely Part 1 and Part 2, and it has been approved accordingly. Before taking up the actual construction of the work in Part 1, administrative approval of Rs 1232.06 crore was given for the detailed survey, investigation, and conceptualization, as well as other statutory approvals, land required for the construction of new roads etc. Administrative approval was given in principle for the construction of Part 2 for Rs 87,342.86 crore.
Wainganga-Painganga River Link Project worth Rs 88 thousand crore! The work of bringing 10 lakh acres of agricultural land under permanent irrigation in Vidarbha will be done through the Wainganga-Painganga River Linking Project. The new river created by this project will be 550 km long. This will permanently eliminate drought in Vidarbha and provide abundant water for future industrialization. It is expected to benefit from this project in 3 to 4 years after its completion.
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25
Aug 2024
Cabinet approves Nar-Par-Girna river linking project
The Nar-Par-Girna river linking project, which will provide irrigation benefits to Nashik and Jalgaon districts, was approved in a state cabinet meeting. The total cost of the project is Rs 71,529 crore. 9.19 TMC of water will be lifted from 9 dams in the Nar, Par and Auranga river basins and released into the Girna river basin through a 14.56 km tunnel.
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5
Sep 2024
Administrative approval for Nar-Par-Girna River Interconnection Project
The Nar-Par-Girna River Interconnection Project will require 10.64 TMC of water from the three western river basins of Nar, Par and Auranga. This water will be stored by constructing 9 dams at different places in Surgana taluka of Nashik district. Later, water will be pumped from these dams and diverted to the Girna sub-basin. This project will benefit a total of 49,516 hectares of irrigation area, including 32,492 hectares in Surgana, Kalvan, Deola and Malegaon talukas of Nashik district and 17,024 hectares in Bhadgaon, Erandol and Chalisgaon in Jalgaon.
The Hon’ble Governor gave in-principle approval to this project vide letter dated 9 August 2024. Also, the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority gave its approval vide letter dated 16 August 2024. Meanwhile, a total expenditure of Rs 7465.29 crore was approved based on the rate list of the Water Resources and Public Works Department for 2022-23 and the Maharashtra Life Authority for 2021-22.
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14
Oct 2024
Administrative approval for Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari River Link Project
The Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari River Link Project will divert 5.68 TMC of surplus water from Damanganga and Vaitarna sub-basins to the Godavari basin in Marathwada. From there, the water will be released to the rainfall-deficient Sinnar taluka of Nashik district and the Jayakwadi project in Marathwada. This will bring about 33,110 hectares of area under irrigation. The Governor has given in-principle approval to this scheme through a letter dated 6 October 2024. The state government has given administrative approval for this project at a cost of Rs 13,497.24 crore. Meanwhile, the state government has ordered the corporation to examine whether it is possible to implement a hydroelectric project on this project.
Administrative approval for Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari River Link Project
The Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari River Link Project will construct a dam on the Damanganga River at Ekdare in Peth taluka of Nashik district. The water from that dam will be pumped in three phases and released at Jharlipada in Dindori, Nashik. From there, this water will be diverted to the Waghad Dam through a connecting canal and from the Waghad Dam, this water will be released in a flow-through manner through the Godavari River to the Jayakwadi Dam in Marathwada. A total of 12,753 hectares of area will come under irrigation through this river link project. The Governor gave in-principle approval to this scheme by letter dated October 6, 2024. For this, the state government gave administrative approval for an expenditure of Rs. 2,213.53 crore.
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19
Dec 2024
Maharashtra will be drought-free through 4 river linking projects
Maharashtra will be drought-free by completing 4 river linking projects in Maharashtra – Wainganga-Nalganga, Nar-Par-Girna, Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari, Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari, informed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly session in Nagpur on December 19, 2024. Meanwhile, 25.21 lakh hectares of land will come under irrigation through 167 irrigation projects in the last two and a half years (July 2022 to December 2024).
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7
Feb 2025
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discusses river linking project with AIIB Bank Vice President Hoon Kim
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held an important meeting on the Marathwada Water Grid and Nar Par Girna River Linking Project at his Ramgiri residence in Nagpur on 7 February 2025. The Nar Par Girna River Linking Project, Marathwada Water Grid Scheme, Samruddhi Highway, etc. are important for Maharashtra’s water resources and infrastructure. Govt. sought financial assistance for the ambitious project of Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari from various institutions.. Financial institutions such as Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, Korean Exim Bank and AFD responded positively to these projects. In particular, Asian Infrastructure Development Bank Vice President Hoon Kim assured of all possible assistance for these projects. Along with this, a meeting was held with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh regarding the Tapi Recharge Scheme, and he expressed his consent for this project.
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10
Mar 2025
Huge provision in the budget for 2025-26 for river linking projects!
The first budget of the grand alliance government formed under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis was presented on March 10, 2025. In this budget, river-linking projects in the state were approved and prioritized, with approval of Rs 88,574 crore made for the Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking project. An area of 3,71,277 hectares will come under irrigation in six districts, Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, and Buldhana, which will be covered by this project. Also, 49,516 hectares of area in Nashik and Jalgaon districts will benefit from irrigation through the Nar-Par-Girna river linking project. A provision of Rs 7,500 crore was made in the budget for this project. The Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari river linking project will provide 3.55 TMC of water. This will benefit 2,987 hectares of area in Nashik district. A provision of Rs 2,300 crore has been made in the budget for this project.
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River linking project: A sustainable water management measure for water security all over the state
The river-linking project currently being implemented by the Devendra Fadnavis government will benefit Vidarbha, Marathwada, and parts of North Maharashtra in the future. This project will achieve water sufficiency for agriculture, domestic, and industrial uses through effective management of water resources. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Waterman of the state, has launched yet another flagship project on water management after the success of the Jalyukt Shivar Yojana, aiming for long-term water security. Recently, the state government approved the Wainganga-Painganga river linking project at a cost of Rs 88,000 crore. This river linking project is a giant step towards achieving both good irrigation and flood-control across the state.