Context:

The Maharashtra cabinet recently approved the ₹87,342.86 crore Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project to improve irrigation in Vidarbha. 

About the project: 

• The National Water Development Agency submitted a detailed project report in 2018, which the Central Water Commission has approved.
• The project is included in the Integrated State Water Plan, which the State Water Council has sanctioned.

Aims of the project: 

• The project is designed to redirect water from the Wainganga River to the Nalganga project, benefiting 15 towns across six districts and covering 3.75 lakh hectares of land.
• It aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supply, with a particular focus on supporting drought-prone areas.
• The initiative is expected to boost agricultural productivity, ensure a sustainable water supply, and offer substantial relief and development opportunities to the drought-affected Marathwada region.

Details of the project:

• The project involves redirecting water from the Wainganga River in the Godavari basin to the Nalganga project in Buldhana district by constructing 426.52 km of link canals.
• It will benefit 15 talukas across the Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, and Buldhana districts in Vidarbha by providing irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supplies.
• Plans are also in place to channel excess water to neighboring districts such as Hingoli and Parbhani.
• In addition, 31 storage reservoirs will be constructed to support water use during the Rabi season.
• The project is expected to be completed within 10 years, with financial backing from the central government. The initial phase will require an investment of ₹1,232 crore.