AURANGABAD: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the proposed water grid project for Marathwada would channelize water from 14 key irrigations projects to quench the thirst of the drought-prone region.Addressing the Marathwada Liberation Day celebrations here, he said finishing touches were being given to the detailed project report of the water grid."The proposed project will be first-of-its-kind advanced water distribution system in the country. Marathwada would get water through a closed pipeline sourced from 14 different irrigation projects in future as part of the ambitious project," Fadnavis said without elaborating further.In February this year, the state government had announced a tie-up with a firm from Israel for carrying out necessary groundwork for the project. The government has increased the scope of the multi-crore project by including the agriculture and the industrial sectors along with domestic sector.Talking about the irrigation sector, Fadnavis said nearly 35% of farm ponds built across the state are in Marathwada. The region has developed assured irrigation for whopping 60,000 hectare area due to these farm ponds, he said, praising the implementation of the Jalyukta Shivar scheme.Fadnavis, who attended the Marathwada Liberation Day event for fourth consecutive year, said the Centre and the state government have pumped in Rs 15,000 crore to boost the irrigation sector in Marathwada.He also lauded the efforts of the regional authorities to execute the recently-held plantation drive. "Marathwada was given the target of planting nearly two crore saplings, but it actually planted close to five crore trees. The green-cover over Marathwada has been increasing due to the concerted efforts and generations to come will benefit from it," said Fadnavis, who wrapped up his city tour in less than two hours.The CM said the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project would provide employment to nearly three lakh people. Aurangabad and Jalna are set to become magnets at the national level for attracting industrial investment. The DMIC and Samruddhi Expressway will alter the face of the region, he said.

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