Maharashtra Cabinet Clears Rs 6,477 Crore for Jayakwadi Irrigation Project Phase-II

The project is expected to provide irrigation to around 1.31 lakh hectares across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, Beed, Parbhani and Nanded districts. It is also expected to support industrial water supply, fisheries and power generation.

Meanwhile, as contractors across the state continue to protest over pending bills, the Cabinet approved the use of a new system to ensure timely payment of contractors' dues. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya.

Officials said the Jayakwadi Project Phase-II has received its fifth revised administrative approval. "With this, the Majalgaon Dam, with a storage capacity of 454 million cubic metres (MCM), will be completed. The project includes the Majalgaon (Loni Sawangi) lift irrigation scheme, Salimba drip lift irrigation scheme, Shiras Marg low-level barrage, Roshanpuri high-level barrage and the 148-km-long Majalgaon Right Bank Canal, along with six en-route reservoirs — Galhati, Dhond, Ukadgaon, Murambi, Pendu and Subhashnagar. It also includes raising the height of the Majalgaon Masoli project," said an official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

The Jayakwadi Project has been planned in two phases. Under Phase-I, the Jayakwadi Dam, the 208-km-long Paithan Left Bank Canal, branch canals, distributaries, minor distributaries and sub-minor distributaries have been completed.

Phase-II is considered an important project for the Marathwada region. The second phase has now received its fifth revised administrative approval of Rs 6,477.88 crore. The works under this phase will include the Paithan Right Bank Canal, Majalgaon Dam and works related to the Majalgaon Right Bank Canal.

The Cabinet also approved the use of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) for making payments to micro, small and medium-sized contractors in the Public Works Department.

Under the system, the amount due to contractors from the government will be disbursed within 180 days. If the payment is not made within this period, interest will have to be paid for the duration of the delay. The rate of interest will be determined by an Implementation and Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department, the official said.

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved a special rehabilitation policy for Pandharpur, taking into account its religious and traditional significance, the large number of Warkari pilgrims and the urgent need for development works.

The policy is expected to accelerate development works worth Rs 3,993.90 crore under the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple precinct and commercial complex plan.

Officials said the government is planning to provide compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh to shop owners for three years, based on their annual income. In addition, 250 residents will be provided a monthly rent allowance of Rs 10,000.