Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan has informed the state Assembly that 758 out of 858 irrigation projects in the Vidarbha region have been completed as of June 2024 by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC), while 87 projects are currently under implementation.

In a written reply, the Minister said that administrative approvals had lapsed for 13 projects, mainly due to forest department clearances. He noted that 14.23 lakh hectares of land have been irrigated so far, out of Vidarbha’s total irrigation potential of 22.31 lakh hectares—achieving 64 percent coverage. The 87 ongoing projects have a combined irrigation potential of 12.60 lakh hectares, with 4.81 lakh hectares already benefiting by June 2024.

According to the Index and Backlog Committee, six districts in Vidarbha had an irrigation backlog of 7,84,720 hectares in 1994. Of this, 7,41,185 hectares (94 percent) have been cleared as of June 2025, with 43,535 hectares still pending in Akola and Buldhana.

Funding for project completion is being provided through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchan Yojana, Baliraja Jalsanjeevani Yojana, NABARD’s RIDF loans, and partial state grants, based on a formula determined by the Governor and financial availability.