Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Fadnavis Vows to Make Marathwada Drought-Free Through Water Diversion
Marathwada is facing drought because there has not been enough rain.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government wants to bring more water to the region.
A plan would move 70 TMC of water from the Ulhas basin to the Godavari basin over seven years.
Another project would bring about 30 TMC from the Krishna basin.
The government will check how much crops were damaged after October 5.
It says farmers will receive state assistance before national disaster-relief money arrives.
The state also plans to cancel about ₹48,000 crore in old farm electricity bills.
Officials said they are preparing for possible shortages of drinking water and fodder.
The announcements were made while remembering Marathwada’s liberation struggle.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced plans to divert 70 TMC of water from the Ulhas basin to the Godavari basin over seven years.
About 30 TMC from the Krishna basin is also being diverted to Marathwada after World Bank approval, with tenders being issued.
Crop-damage assessments will begin after October 5, and the state says it will provide assistance before NDRF support arrives.
The government announced a waiver of approximately ₹48,000 crore in outstanding agricultural electricity bills.
Fadnavis made the announcements during Marathwada Liberation Day events while promising measures for drinking water, fodder and drought relief.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the measures; Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar addressed a related event in Beed.
- What
- The government announced water-diversion projects, drought assistance, crop assessments and a waiver of agricultural electricity arrears.
- When
- The announcements were made on Thursday during Marathwada Liberation Day events; the main water transfer is planned over seven years, and crop assessments begin after October 5.
- Where
- The measures concern Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed, with water planned to move toward the Godavari basin.
- Why
- The initiatives are intended to address recurring drought, poor rainfall, crop damage, drinking-water needs and farmer hardship.
- Main water diversion
- 70 TMC from the Ulhas basin to the Godavari basin in phases over seven years
- Additional water
- About 30 TMC from the Krishna basin is being diverted to Marathwada after World Bank approval
- Project status
- Tenders are being issued for the Krishna basin project; river-linking DPRs are in final stages
- Crop assessments
- Panchanamas will begin after October 5
- Electricity bill waiver
- Approximately ₹48,000 crore in outstanding agricultural electricity bills
- Debt relief
- More than 15 lakh farmers have reportedly become debt-free
- Historical date
- Marathwada was liberated on September 17, 1948, 13 months after India’s Independence
