Aurangabad: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said efforts were on to bring in 50 TMC water for Marathwada from the Damanganga river and the Pinjal reservoir."The state government has charted out a pilot project to end the water woes of Marathwada. We are trying to divert around 50 TMC water from Damanganga-Pinjal to the basin of the Godavari river. The state government has accorded in-principle approval for the initiative and the detailed scheme would be forwarded to the Centre for necessary approval and support," Fadnavis said while addressing the 70th Marathwada Liberation Day celebrations here.The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), a central body which runs under the aegis of the ministry of water resources, has already proposed the Damanganga-Pinjal link. It proposes to divert surplus waters available at Bhugad and Khargihill reservoirs in the Damanganga basin to the Pinjal dam across the river Pinjal in the Vaitarna basin. It will send 909 Mcum of water to Mumbai for meeting domestic and industrial demands.While the NWDA proposal related to the Damanganga-Pinjal link has so far been silent on diverting water to the Godavari basin, the latest announcement made by CM is believed to be an indication of a further modification in the project charted out in the light of the interlinking of rivers.Fadnavis said the government has resolved to make the drought-prone Marathwada an abundantly-watered and rich-yield region.The detailed project report of the proposed water grid project for the region is getting its finishing touches. Once completed, the ambitious project would help industries and agriculture get sufficient water besides fulfilling drinking water needs, he said.Referring to the Jalyukta Shivar, Fadnavis said the state flagship water conservation programme has been implemented in a commendable manner in Marathwada so far. "Around 4.5 lakh hectare agricultural area has come under irrigation due to Jalyukta Shivar works. The farmers from the region were earlier largely dependent on the kharif season to earn a livelihood, but majority of them are now harvesting during the rabi season too because of the successful implementation of water conservation works," he said.Citing official statistics, Fadnavis said Marathwada was at the forefront in availing of the crop insurance scheme. "Under the Prime Minister crop insurance scheme 2017-18, as many as 62.36 lakh farmers from Maharashtra have opted for insurance cover. Of these, around 53 lakh farmers belong to Marathwada and account for 80% of the total insurance holders," he said.Earlier, Fadnavis said Marathwada Liberation Day was an occasion to express gratitude towards freedom fighters and renew commitment for the development of the region. State assembly speaker Haribhau Bagde, other public representatives, senior bureaucrats and police officials were also present.

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