Govt chalks out plans to revive rivers to fight drought: Pankaja Munde

Mumbai: Maharashtra government is set to revive rivers in rural areas as part of its efforts to save the state reeling under drought.

Water Conservation Minister Pankaja Munde said the river revival plan will be prepared by the Maharashtra Water Conservation Corporation and the focus will be to revive the rivers in drought and farmer-suicide prone areas.

"Maharashtra Water Conservation Corporation has been asked to prepare the master plan," she said.

The Minister said after the Jalyukt Shivar yogana, revival of rivers in rural areas will be a major campaign of the department. "In the last few days, rains have created good water storage in the Jalyukt shivars," she said.

"Water conservation department should focus on areas where water from irrigation dams cannot be reached," she added.