Marathwada, a region in Maharashtra, India, is in the grip of a severe water crisis. Erratic rainfall, outdated infrastructure, and unfair water distribution are worsening the problem. For the rural population, water scarcity is more than an inconvenience—it threatens lives, jobs, and economic stability.
The Human Impact: Water Scarcity and Farmer Suicides
Water scarcity in Marathwada burdens communities both socially and economically. In rural areas that rely on agriculture, unreliable water supplies lead to failed crops and massive debts. These conditions drive many families into poverty and loss. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra reports 38% of all farmer suicides in India. Between 1995 and 2013, 60,750 farmer suicides occurred. From 2004 to 2013, about 10 farmers ended their lives every day. Persistent water scarcity, crop failure, and financial stress have led many farmers to despair.
Unpredictable rain patterns worsen Marathwada’s water shortage. Most rainfall in the region occurs only during the monsoon season. In 2023, Marathwada received just 589.9 mm of rainfall—a 21.44% deficit from its annual average of 751 mm. Drought is a recurring reality here; last year, 42 talukas were declared drought-hit, 14 of which were in Marathwada. Unseasonal rains in 2021 and 2022 damaged crops further, straining already vulnerable farmers.
One stark reminder of the crisis was the “Latur water train” in 2016. Then-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led an initiative to transport water by rail to Latur City, providing vital relief. Fadnavis, who served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, took key steps to address Marathwada’s water issues.
Fadnavis’s Role in Securing Water for Marathwada
Under Fadnavis’s leadership, the Marathwada Water Grid Project began in 2019. The project aimed to create a stable water network across the drought-prone region. This system sought to ensure fair water distribution and protect against future droughts. Fadnavis was the first Maharashtra Chief Minister to push for a long-term solution to Marathwada’s water shortage. However, his term ended shortly after the project’s launch, and a new administration took over.
Setback Under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government
When the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government replaced Fadnavis, progress on the project slowed significantly. Bureaucratic hurdles and changing political priorities stalled the Water Grid’s construction. This delay has been costly as Marathwada’s water crisis worsens each year.
Marathwada Water Grid Project Outline
The Marathwada Water Grid Project aims to connect 11 major dams through a network of large pipelines, ranging from 1.6 to 2.4 meters in circumference. The primary loop will connect the reservoirs, allowing water to flow from water-rich dams to those with lower reserves. Designed similarly to a power grid, the water grid will use pump houses and pipelines to move water from reservoirs to treatment plants and onward to water-scarce talukas.
A unique feature of this system is its flexibility. Some pipeline sections allow for reverse flows, meaning water-scarce talukas can receive water from the nearest reservoir with surplus supply. A secondary pipeline network will extend to each of Marathwada’s 76 talukas, with access points every 5 to 10 kilometers to ensure widespread coverage.
In later stages, the project will tap into additional water sources, including the Konkan region’s rivers and the Krishna basin in western Maharashtra. The project minimizes land acquisition by laying pipelines along existing highways where the state has the right of way. Where pipelines cross agricultural land, farmers will receive compensation for crop loss, ensuring minimal disruption.
Key Project Features
The Water Grid Project will link major dams such as Jayakwadi in Aurangabad, Yeldari in Parbhani, and Dhanegaon in Latur. This connection will transfer water from areas with surplus to water-scarce regions, helping nearly 12,000 villages, 79 talukas, and 76 towns in Marathwada’s 64,000 square kilometers.
The project will have ten phases. The first eight phases focus on creating an internal grid for Marathwada, while the last two will draw water from the Konkan region and Krishna River. Fadnavis brought in Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, to oversee the technology for the Water Grid. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra government was signed to ensure efficient water management systems.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 40,000 crore. The Aurangabad and Jalna districts will see the first phase, costing Rs 4,293 crore. Funding will come from a public-private partnership model, with Maharashtra covering 60% of the cost, while developers provide the rest through equity and debt.
Project Revival in 2022
The Water Grid Project regained momentum in 2022 when Fadnavis returned as Deputy Chief Minister. In 2023, he submitted the proposal to the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA), a body established to ensure fair water distribution across the state. The Mahayuti government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis, requested Rs 20,000 crore from the central government and sought financial aid from international bodies, including the World Bank.
Supporting Projects for Water Security and Rural Prosperity
Maharashtra’s arid regions face worsening water scarcity, affecting agricultural productivity and rural lives. The state government has launched various water conservation and irrigation projects to tackle these issues, particularly in drought-prone areas.
Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan: Reviving Village Water Sources
The Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, launched in 2014 by Fadnavis, focused on sustainable, local water sources in rural Maharashtra. Key activities included connecting local streams to larger water bodies, creating percolation tanks, and de-silting water bodies for long-term retention. The program raised groundwater levels and reduced dependency on monsoon rains. Its approach inspired Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to create “Amrit Sarovars” across India for water conservation.
Nar-Par-Girna Project: Irrigation for North Maharashtra
The Nar-Par-Girna project, backed by the Mahayuti government, aims to divert surplus water from the Nar Par Girna basin to Nashik and Jalgaon. With a Rs 7,015 crore budget, the project will irrigate 95,760 hectares. Nine dams will capture and redistribute surplus water to stabilize supplies and support crop growth in these regions.
Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project: Expanding Irrigation in Satara
Located on the Krishna River, the Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project supplies water to drought-prone lands in Satara. Two sub-projects, the Mhaisal and Takari Lift Irrigation Projects, will lift water to serve local farmers, allowing stable crop growth despite water shortages.
Purandar Lift Irrigation Scheme: Supporting Agriculture in Pune District
The Purandar Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS) targets 25,000 hectares in Pune district, including Haveli, Purandar, Daund, and Baramati. By lifting water from the Mula River, PLIS reduces farmers’ dependency on monsoons, promoting high-yield crops and regional economic growth.
Future Prospects
Political stability is vital to complete the Marathwada Water Grid Project. Fadnavis’s influence and commitment to water security in Marathwada remain strong, driving hope for a solution to the water crisis. If successful, the Water Grid Project will transform the region, providing lasting water security and a better future for Marathwada’s people.