Pilot Project for Blocked Flood Canals in Sinnar Taluka – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Nashik : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that releasing water carried by the river through the blocked flood canals to percolation ponds and dams via floodgates will serve as a pilot project for the state. He asserted that this initiative will help eliminate the effects of drought, making Sinnar Taluka water-rich. Today, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated various development works in Sinnar Taluka during a meeting organized at Panchale.

Present at the event were MLA Manikrao Kokate, former MP Devidas Pingle, Regional Water Conservation Officer Haribhau Gite, Superintending Engineer of the Public Works Department Arundhati Sharma, Executive Engineer Uday Palve, District Water Conservation Officer Rajaram Zhurawat, Sub-Divisional Water Conservation Officer Ajit Kapadnis, Tehsildar Surendra Deshmukh, Sarpanch Sunita Gadakh, and former Zilla Parishad member Seemantini Kokate, along with other officials and citizens.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar stated that today, in Sinnar Taluka, 130 dams, two flood canals, and water flowing during the monsoon will be redirected through closed canals. This canal, constructed on the Dev River in Lasalgaon, will provide water to farmers, improving their livelihoods and driving economic development. Approximately Rs 300 crore has been invested in this canal project. Nearly 200 percolation ponds have been filled due to this floodwater. Additionally, work is underway on a river linking project aimed at completely eliminating drought in the taluka.

Pawar announced that Rs 940 crore in sanctioned funds will be used to construct a 148 km road from Lasalgaon to Igatpuri, with the foundation stone laid today. This road will enhance development and communication in the region. A Rs 5 crore fund has been allocated for the foundation stone of a primary health center at Somthane. A market based on the concept of direct farmer-to-consumer sales has been inaugurated with a fund of Rs 5 crore. This initiative will ensure that agricultural produce is processed properly and reaches consumers directly. Improvements are also being made in crop insurance for farmers.

In the near future, the government will approve a Rs 291 crore plan for the memorial of early revolutionary Raghoji Bhangre. There are plans to build a ropeway from the memorial to Kalsubai peak, which will boost tourism and provide employment opportunities for local tribes. The government is following up with the central government for approval on this project. Furthermore, the government has provided free electricity to farmers by covering the electricity bills of 44 lakh farmers, amounting to Rs 15,000 crore. A guaranteed price of Rs 35 per liter has been set for cow milk starting October 1. The Chief Minister’s Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has benefited 24 lakh women, with a fund of Rs 46,000 crore allocated to this initiative. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar mentioned that they successfully lobbied with the central government to lift the ban on onion exports, emphasizing their responsibility to secure good market prices for crops.

The memorial fund for early revolutionary Raghoji Bhangre will be completed soon, with development works worth around Rs 14 to 15 crore expected to finish shortly, stated MLA Kokate.

Mrs. Kokate, former member of the Zilla Parishad, provided information about the flood control works.

Bhoomipujan of These Works:

1. Jalpujan of Kundewadi Sayale and Khoopdi Mirgaon flood canals in Sinnar Taluka.
2. Bhoomipujan of the road from Lasalgaon-Vinchur to Somthane, passing through Panchale, Pangri, Marhal, Chapdgaon, Hivre, Padli Phata, Thangaon, and Mhaisvalan, funded by Rs 940 crore.
3. Bhoomipujan of a 33 KV power substation at Panchale (Ujni) with a budget of Rs 3 crore 64 lakhs.