PUNE: The Investment Approval Committee of the Union Ministry of Water Resources has given its approval to the expansion of the canal of the Nira Deoghar dam, which is a boon for Pune, Satara and Solapur districts for meeting their drinking water and agricultural needs. Hence, the project is going to get a booster of about ₹3,000 crore from the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). As a result, 43,000 hectares of land in these three districts will be covered by irrigation.
The Union government provides funds to dam projects in the state which have irrigation potential of 10,000 hectares. Earlier, the Union Water Commission had given its approval for the Sangola branch canal project in the Pune division. After the approval, the Centre had released funds. The Pune Irrigation Department had sent a proposal seeking approval for Nira Deoghar project on similar lines.
The Union Water Commission had given its approval for the inclusion of the project in the PMKSY. Hence, the decks had been cleared for getting funds of ₹3,000 crore.
However, for getting these funds, an approval of the Investment Approval Committee of the Union Ministry of Water Resources was necessary. Accordingly, the Pune Irrigation Department had been instructed to send a proposal. Accordingly, the proposal sent to the Union Ministry of Water Resources has received an approval.
Hence, the Nira Deoghr project is going to get ₹3,000 crore and decks have been cleared for the expansion of the dam’s canal. Because of the funds, 43,050 hectare land is expected to be covered by irrigation. Irrigation Department officials said that lining of canals and laying of pipelines will be done from the funds.
Meanwhile, the state government is going to provide 40 pc funds and it has sanctioned the allotment of funds. The Centre is going to provide 60 pc of funds. Hence, water will reach the last taluka of Malshiras taluka and it is hoped that drought-prone areas like Pandharpur and Sangola will get water. There were a lot of problems in getting funds for the Nira Deoghar project. After the approval of the Union Ministry of Water Resources, funds of ₹3,967 crore will be available. As a result, this will enable expansion of the dam’s canal.
