The Maharashtra government has decided to fast-track 98 ongoing irrigation projects in six of the districts in Vidarbha region. The list of projects includes the Gosikhurd National Irrigation Project.

The Ministry of Water Resources has decided to relocate its nodal irrigation management centres based in Sangli and Pune in Western Maharashtra, to Bhandara and Yavatmal in Vidarbha. The administrative decision is to provide additional manpower for effective management and work in the region.

In the six drought-prone districts of Vidarbha, there are altogether 98 ongoing irrigation projects. The total cost of it all comes to Rs 4,098 crore, with 1,40,611 ha of land under it.

A district-wise tally shows Amravati has 26 projects, which will require funds worth Rs 1,377 crore and create irrigation potential on 39,152 ha of land. In Akola, there are 12 projects worth Rs 718 crore with irrigation potential of 2,265 ha. At Washim, there are 29 projects estimated at Rs 248 crore with irrigation potential of 20,321 ha of land. At Yavatmal, there are 16 projects worth Rs 687 crore which will create 21,927 ha of land irrigation-worthy. Buldhana, meanwhile, has 10 ongoing projects worth Rs 290 crore and will cover 13,327 ha of land under irrigation. Whereas, Wardha, with five projects costing Rs 776 crore, will bring 22,919 ha of land under irrigation.