Water projects, dams worth Rs 40,050 cr pending in state

Even as the state deals with a water crisis, a Right To Information query has revealed that over the last 10 years water projects worth Rs 40,050 crore are incomplete, reports Amrita U Kadam.

Even as the state deals with a water crisis, a Right To Information query has revealed that over the last 10 years water projects worth Rs 40,050 crore are incomplete.

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The details provided by the state water department to RTI activist Chetan Kothari said there are about 75 minor projects, 181 medium and 1,125 major projects pending at various stages of work in the 11th five year plan (2007-2012).

Blaming it all on the scanty rainfall, the government was on the verge of declaring drought in some parts of the state in 2009. Also, the city is dealing with severe water crisis for the first time ever.

“The RTI revelation is shocking in the time when we are dealing with water crisis. The project cost escalates with time leaving taxpayers to pay for the same,” said Kothari.

He also said the irrigation water was not only necessary for farmers to grow crops but also for the commoner so that he does not end up paying high prices for the ration.

The list of incomplete projects includes over 1,200 major and minor projects relating to irrigation and dams.

“The project work started without prioritising them. There is a need to prioritise the projects to take them ahead,” said Water Resources Minister Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar.