Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Pending Projects in Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 934

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## PENDING PROJECTS IN WARDHA LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY

## †934. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

## Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of pending irrigation projects including Dimbhe Dam Canal Project in Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency and the progress made under its various stages;

(b) the details of the funds released, allocated and utilised for the purpose during the last five years;

(c)  the  timeframe  for  completion  of  these  projects  along  with  the  measures  being  taken  to  remove administrative and technical delays, if any; and

(d)  the  details  of  long-term  plans  to  address  the  problem  of  perennial  water  scarcity  in  the  said Constituency  and  drought-prone  areas  of  Maharashtra  along  with  the  steps  taken  to  promote  microirrigation and water conservation techniques?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (c) Water, being a state subject, it is for the State Government concerned to plan, execute, operate and  manage  the  irrigation  projects.  Role  of  Government  of  India  is  to  provide  technical  support,  and partial financial assistance for identified projects under the ongoing schemes.

Two (02) major and medium irrigation projects, namely the Lower Wardha Project and the Lower Pedhi Project, benefiting the Amravati and Wardha districts of the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency have been included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme of this Ministry for financial assistance. Central assistance of Rs. 46.16 crore has been provided to these two projects during the last five years, i.e. during 2020-21 to 2024-25, which have been fully utilized. The Lower Wardha Project has been completed.

Eighteen  (18)  surface  minor  irrigation  projects  benefiting  Amravati  district  and  one  (01)  surface irrigation project benefiting Wardha district of the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency have been included under  Special  Package  to  Maharashtra.  Central  assistance  of  Rs.  142.34  crore  has  been  reimbursed  to these projects during the last five years, i.e. during 2020-21 to 2024-25. Seventeen (17) of these projects have been reported as complete.

Dimbhe Dam Canal Project  is  a  part  of  the  Kukadi  Irrigation  Project  in  Maharashtra  benefitting Shirur constituency of Maharashtra.

To ensure timely completion of projects,  projects  are  physically  monitored  by  regional  offices  of Central Water Commission twice a year. Projects are reviewed at regular intervals by Hon'ble Minister, Jal Shakti and Secretary, DoWR,RD&GR, wherein issues are identified and necessary action are taken for their early resolution. Issues and bottlenecks under the projects are also flagged over Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal and resolved in PMG meetings under Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat.

(d) To  address  the  issue  of  development  of  irrigation  in  drought  prone  areas  in  the  country,  special provisions  have  been  made  in  the  criteria  for  selection  of  projects  and  central  funding  ratio  under Accelerated  Irrigation  Benefits  Programme  of  PMKSY.  If  a  project  has  more  than  50%  command  in drought prone area, 50% advance stage criteria has been relaxed and the project can be included since beginning of the construction with enhanced funding ratio of 60 (Centre): 40 (State), in the proportion of command area falling in drought prone area.

Further,  Government  of  India  has  approved,  in  2018,  a  Special  Package  for  Irrigation  Projects  in Maharashtra  to  complete  83  Surface  Minor  Irrigation  (SMI)  projects  and  8  Major/Medium  Irrigation Projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra.

In  addition,  Per  Drop  More  Crop  scheme  being  implemented  by  Department  of  Agriculture  and Farmer's Welfare is dedicated for micro irrigation development in country.

Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  under  this  Ministry  has  completed  the  National  Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km. The Aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared and shared with the respective State agencies for implementation. The management plans include various water conservation measures through demand side and supply side interventions.

Further, 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan', 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" are initiatives launched by this Ministry with Jan Bhagidari in water conservation for united action from all stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, local authorities, philanthropists, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and individuals.

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