Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Sanjay Rathod, has directed officials to complete all ongoing soil and water conservation projects across the state by June 30, 2026, in view of the possible impact of El Niño conditions.
Chairing a review meeting at Mantralaya, Rathod assessed the progress of various initiatives being implemented by the Soil and Water Conservation Department, including Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0, Amrit Sarovar, the Former Malgujari Tank Strengthening Programme, and the Galmukt Dharan-Galyukt Shivar Scheme.
Senior department officials, including Secretary Jitendra Papalkar, along with engineers from Pune, Thane, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik divisions, attended the meeting. District Water Conservation Officers from across the state participated virtually.
Rathod instructed officials to ensure that all works planned under Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0 are completed and properly evaluated. He also directed the department to undertake repairs of damaged water conservation structures in villages outside the scheme, particularly those affected by heavy rainfall and having high groundwater recharge potential.
The minister further ordered districts to achieve targets related to desilting reservoirs, deepening and widening streams, and completing approved Amrit Sarovar projects within the next 15 days.
Of the 469 former Malgujari tanks identified for restoration in Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Yavatmal districts, repairs to 412 tanks have already been completed. Rathod directed officials to complete the remaining works without delay, submit progress reports, and take necessary action to remove encroachments from these water bodies.
