Request to Divert Konkan Water to Drought-Affected Marathwada

New Delhi : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking at the Niti Aayog meeting today, urged consideration of farmers’ demands concerning milk, cotton, soybeans, and onions, along with the critical issue of diverting water from Konkan to the drought-affected Marathwada region and expediting the river-linking project. He made these remarks at the Ninth Regulatory Council of NITI Aayog at Ashok Pavilion, Rashtrapati Bhavan. The conference was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Ministers of various states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, ex-officio members of NITI Aayog, Union Ministers, and the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog attended the conference.

Issues of Onion, Cotton, and Soybeans Raised

During his speech, Chief Minister Shinde specifically addressed issues affecting farmers. He requested the Prime Minister to consider a price policy for the purchase of onions for buffer stock under the Onion Price Stabilization Fund Scheme. He also called for an increase in the guaranteed price of soybeans and cotton. The Chief Minister noted that farmers have suffered losses since the beginning of the season due to soybean prices being lower than the guaranteed price. Expressing confidence in the Prime Minister, Shinde hoped for a prompt resolution. He also urged the Center to take steps to prevent milk adulteration.

Marathwada Should Be Drought-Free

Chief Minister Shinde demanded the acceleration of the Marathwada Water Grid project. He highlighted that 167 TMC of water flows into the sea from Kolhapur and Konkan every year. The state government aims to redirect some of this water to the Godavari valley in Marathwada. Shinde urged the Center to expedite this process to help make Marathwada drought-free.

Utilization of BPT Space

Shinde also requested Central assistance for the proper utilization of six acres of BPT land in Mumbai to develop an area similar to Marine Drive. He emphasized that as the financial capital of the country, Mumbai’s beautification should be strengthened.

Infrastructure Needs to be Accelerated

The Chief Minister called for final cabinet approval of the Thane metro project and the relocation of the funnel radar zone for redevelopment projects in Dahisar and Andheri, which would provide relief to lakhs of residents. Additionally, he urged the acceleration of the Pune Nashik Semi High-Speed Railway Project and the Karad Chiplun Railway Project, drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to these critical infrastructure needs.