Latest news with #VidarbhaWaterConference
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bhoomipuja often carried out for political gain than execution: Gadkari
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that regardless of which party is in power, dozens of project bhoomipujans are carried out, often driven by political optics than execution. "MLA saheb wins the first election with the bhoomipujan announcement, the second after the actual bhoomipujan is done, and the third election based on budget provisions and pending work," Gadkari said, citing the example of the Gosikhurd project. Speaking on the second day of the Vidarbha Water Conference held at Vanamati, the Union minister added, "The Gosikhurd project started at ₹360 crore. Today, over ₹12,500 crore has been spent, out of which over ₹6,000 crore was allocated when I was the water resources minister. Yet, the project remains stagnant. Rehabilitation issues in the region are still unresolved." Citing another example, Gadkari addressed the status of Central Road Fund (CRF) allocations, clarifying that the entire Rs7,000 crore budgeted amount had already been approved for projects. "MLAs fly to Delhi requesting approvals. Against proposals worth Rs7,000 crore, we've sanctioned the full amount. But beyond that, I can't approve more unless new provisions are made," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He stressed that govt processes inherently take time and are bound by budgetary limits. "People get excited when big projects are announced, photos are clicked during bhoomipujans, coconuts are broken — and then projects remain stuck for 25 years," Gadkari remarked. Referring to the ongoing crisis of farmer suicides in Vidarbha, Gadkari pointed to water scarcity as one of the main causes, especially in districts like Akola, Washim, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Amravati, and Wardha. "In the past few years, many farmers died by suicide. Several studies were conducted, and one of the major reasons found was water scarcity. The second key factor was the cotton price mechanism. We need to increase production, and for that, water conservation is essential. Until irrigation is secured, farmer suicides will not stop," he said. Speaking further on conservation, Gadkari said, "Major and medium-scale projects will continue, but what individuals can do at their level matters most. Water that runs should be slowed, water that slows should be stopped, and the water that stops should seep into the ground — only then will groundwater levels rise." He also emphasised the role of educational institutions in building agricultural self-sufficiency. Citing the late Dr Shrikant Jichkar, Gadkari said universities should focus on seed development, branding, and selling agricultural produce. "The income generated should go toward paying teachers' salaries. If the revenue doesn't come in one season, it will come in the next. Without such accountability, institutions risk becoming colourless, tasteless, and odourless," he warned, urging alignment of academic research with field-level agricultural needs. Gadkari also advocated for the creation of a regional water grid to address unequal water availability across basins. "Some basins receive excess rainfall and flood, while others remain dry. Just like roads and power grids, a water grid is needed to move surplus water from one basin to another," he said. He added that while large projects require land acquisition, environmental clearances, and funding, basin-to-basin transfers could be launched faster through proper planning and community-led initiatives. Gadkari cited upcoming projects in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh that aim to channel sufficient water into the Yamuna, ensuring Delhi won't face shortages at least until 2090. Drawing comparisons, he pointed out that Telangana implemented a Rs80,000 crore water project, along with 49 other previously planned projects in the southern parts, saving a significant amount of water that would have otherwise flowed directly into the sea.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
90% Water Conservation Structures Non-Functional: Bawankule
1 2 3 Nagpur: Nearly 90% of water conservation structures in Nagpur and Amravati districts are non-functional, and restoring them is critical to address the deepening water crisis, said revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Speaking at the Vidarbha Pani Parishad, Bawankule stressed the need for the immediate revival of thousands of dead water bodies and emphasised a strategic shift towards water recycling and zero discharge. "There are 6,500 structures in Amravati and 3,500 in Nagpur, but most are not live. They have no proper plugs, water leaks from the sides, and they have not been maintained," he said. A plan is being rolled out to geo-tag each structure and allocate Rs2-4 lakh per bund for repairs, along with 500-metre deepening wherever needed. Bawankule highlighted the alarming drop in groundwater levels — down to 800–850 feet in parts of Katol and Amravati — as a wake-up call. Misuse of power and water was also called out. "We're giving 12 hours of electricity but there's no water planning. One pump is sanctioned, but ten are being used. If we don't plan both power and water together, we'll hit 1,200 feet," he warned. He also referred to the redirection of Pench water that was earlier wasted. That supply is now routed to Mahagnco, freeing it up for agricultural use, while the Koradi power plant has transitioned to using treated wastewater supplied by NMC. "This is a working example of zero discharge — there is no option but to move forward with recycling," he said. The comments came during the three-day Vidarbha Water Conference held at Vanamati Hall in collaboration with RTM Nagpur University's NSS Department and Jankalyankari Samiti. Bawankule urged NSS volunteers to identify and help revive dead dams in their regions, calling it a crucial step towards sustainable water management. A series of success stories were presented at the conference, including solar-powered irrigation from Muradpur, the Tamaswada water management model by Purti Jal Sinchchan Sanstha, and Shramdaan-led village transformation efforts in Washim. The event also featured case studies on artificial drainage for salt land improvement and the Sangli River Revitalisation Project. "Water conservation is not just policy — it's participation. From recycling sewage to reviving old dams, every step matters," Bawankule said, reiterating that making Nagpur and Amravati model districts is the goal.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
3-day Vidarbha Water Conference from June 7
1 2 Nagpur: The National Service Scheme of Nagpur University and Jankalyankari Samiti Nagpur will be jointly organizing Vidarbha Water Conference from June 7-9 at Vanamati Auditorium. The poster unveiling of the conference was done by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Acting vice-chancellor Madhavi Khode Chaware, governor-nominated Management Council member Samay Bansod, Academic Council members Vijay Ilorkar and Shubhangi Nakshine were present during the poster unveiling. The Vidarbha Water Conference will feature a Drinking Water Conference on June 7. A panel discussion on "challenges and solutions for drinking water in Vidarbha" will be held on the inaugural day. Research papers by students and water researchers will also be presented. Agricultural Water Conference will be held on June 8, starting with a panel discussion on "current situation, problems, and solutions for agricultural water in Vidarbha". The second panel discussion on the same topic will be held along with a presentation of success stories of water management in Vidarbha. A screening and competition of reels created by students on "water issues and solutions in Vidarbha" will also be held. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Best Luxury Hotel Prices Expertinspector Learn More Undo The Industrial Water Conference is scheduled for June 9 and will involve a panel discussion on "water issues, challenges, and solutions in the industrial sector", followed by a second panel discussion. The awards ceremony and closing event will be held later in the day. The advisory committee for the Vidarbha Water Conference includes Khode Chaware, VC of Gondwana University Prashant Bokare, Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola, VC Sharad Gadakh, VC of Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, Nitin Patil, VC of Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Atul Vaidya, executive director of Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation, Rajesh Sontakke, director of CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, S Venkata Mohan, deputy director of Agriculture Nagpur Division Umesh Ghatge, director of National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nitin Patil, and deputy director of Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency, Dr Chandrakant Bhoyar.
