Among all irrigation sectors, Maharashtra holds the largest sector of irrigation in India. Maharashtra is the largest sector of irrigation due to both storage capacity and the number of dams that are large in size. The irrigational sector of Maharashtra has been tolerating various problems in its way. 60% of the fertilized land can be irrigated by the groundwater as well as surface water, this estimation was done by the Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission. 1.73 million hectares were only built through MMI (Major and Medium Irrigation) which was the main utilization of the irrigation potential.
Some Major and medium Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra
There are various major and medium Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra. Irrigation Projects of Maharashtra: Salient features include 10 projects within it. These are as follows –
The Salient features of Irrigation Projects of Maharashtra (Set-12).
Lower Godavari (Vishnupuri) Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari
- Project type and status: Major, diversion type; and the status is complete
Lower Panzara Medium Irrigation
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the Basin and River involved: Tapi basin and Panzara River.
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; and the status is ongoing.
Lower Terna Medium Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin, river, and tributary involved: Godavari basin; Godavari river and Terna tributary
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; status is ongoing.
Lower Pedhi River Project
- Project Purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Penganga River.
- Project type and status: Major, reservoir, or storage type; status is ongoing
Lower Pus Medium Irrigation Project
- Project Purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Pus River
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; status is complete
Lower Thirna Lift Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Thirna river
- Project type and status: Lift, major type; status is ongoing
Lower Tapi Major Irrigation Project
- Project Purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Tapi basin and river
- Project type and status: Major, reservoir, or storage type; status is ongoing
Mahasangvi Medium Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Manjara River
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; status is complete
Makardhokra Medium Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Irrigational purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Amb river.
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; status is complete
Mahalingi Medium Irrigation Project
- Project purpose: Multipurpose Irrigation purpose
- Name of the basin and river involved: Godavari basin and Local Nallah River
- Project type and status: Medium, reservoir, or storage type; status is complete
Conclusion
It is to conclude that Maharashtra has minor and major irrigation projects of more than 300 which commonly include the basin of Godavari, Krishna, Tapi, and also West flowing river from Tapi to Tandri. Irrigation Projects of Maharashtra: Salient features include 10 irrigation projects.