The government of Maharashtra has approved the revised estimate of Rs 4,959 crore for the Krishna-Koyna irrigation project.

The project cost has escalated from Rs 1,982 crore in 2000-2001 to Rs 4,959 crore.

The cost escalation is attributed to delay in execution, increased compensation for land acquired for the project, and widening the scope of work to bring more villages under its ambit.

The project will bring 1,09,127 ha of land under irrigation. It will provide 26 TMC of water through Krishna-Koyna dams and will solve the water scarcity problems in talukas of Khanapur, Tasgaon, Miraj, Kadegaon, Palus, Sanglola, Magalveda, and Kavthemahakal in Sangli and Solapur districts.

The work will involve two components -- Takari lift irrigation and Mhaisal lift irrigation. The Mhaisal lift irrigation will add 17.44 TMC of water and will bring 81,697 ha under irrigation. Takari lift irrigation will make available 9.34 TMC of water and bring 27,430 ha under irrigation.