Work of water supply project for Chhtrapati Sambhajinagar inside Jayakwadi dam- file pic
Fadnavis Faces Unmet Promises on Marathwada Liberation Day
On Marathwada Liberation Day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis returned to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, highlighting two major commitments to the region that remain unfulfilled: the provision of daily water supply for the city and the implementation of river-linking projects aimed at alleviating Marathwada’s persistent water crisis. These issues continue to affect local residents, raising concerns about the government’s progress in addressing the area’s chronic water distress.
A senior party functionary said, “The water supply project for the city is already included in the list of key projects monitored by the CM war room. The river-linking project works are also under official consideration with necessary preparations in full swing,” he said. Latur MP Dr Shivaji Kalge recently urged Union jal shakti minister C R Patil to prioritise river-linking projects for Marathwada. BJP, however, insists work is progressing. Water from Ujani dam is on the way to Marathwada, with trials scheduled during mid-Oct.
It has a 5 lakh-hectare irrigation backlog and 70% drought-prone area. The CM should visit our protest site and announce a Rs 3,000 crore annual grant and timeline for river-linking projects,” said activist Annasaheb Shinde.
A senior Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran official said the contractor has now pushed the completion deadline to June next year. “The private contractor has been told to focus more on ESRs and internal distribution. As ESRs get ready in phases, we will try to arrange for water supply with the available distribution network and existing pumping capacity,” the official said. He should prevail upon the private contractor to get things done,” said Vijay Kulkarni, a resident of the Satara area, pointing out that the CM had promised “water in next two months”.
“Instead of misleading people of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the CM should acknowledge that the project will not be ready in the next two years. The group’s leaders say Marathwada can no longer survive on announcements. “Despite official announcements, not a drop has reached the region in all these years.