El Niño threat: Fadnavis orders war-footing push on Maharashtra water conservation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 8 May directed that all water conservation projects and works under the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan 2.0 be completed on a war footing, citing the looming threat of El Niño and a predicted rainfall deficit across the state. The directives were issued at a high-level review meeting of the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Mumbai.
Key Directives Issued
Chief Minister Fadnavis stressed that priority must be given to areas where groundwater levels have depleted significantly, with concerted efforts directed at recharging them. He set a deadline of 15 May for the approval of state-level plans under Jalyukt Shivar, with revised plans to be dispatched to districts immediately to accelerate progress. Beyond the selected villages, an additional 10 per cent of works in neighbouring areas are to be undertaken based on priority.
To prevent de-silted streams from clogging again, Fadnavis suggested planting bamboo along stream banks — a low-cost, ecologically sound measure. Repair work on Malgujari tanks in Vidarbha is scheduled for completion by June.
Funding and Institutional Push
Fadnavis stated he would personally meet Union Ministers to secure increased funding under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod noted that the department's revised organisational structure would speed up operations, with guidelines established to ensure work aligns strictly with original plans.
District-Level Task Forces and Livestock Protection
Each district will establish a dedicated Task Force comprising the Collector, irrigation officials, and local body representatives to monitor water usage and storage. To prevent a livestock crisis, Fadnavis directed robust implementation of the Fodder Development Programme, particularly in the backwater areas of dams and drought-prone regions including Solapur, Sangli, and Marathwada.
Technology and Transparency Measures
Fertiliser supply and distribution will be monitored via the AgriStack system, utilising Artificial Intelligence to prevent artificial scarcity and ensure transparency in the supply chain. Fadnavis also directed all state departments to prioritise disaster mitigation through rigorous water planning, accelerated soil conservation, and the rejuvenation of old water resources, emphasising that the state must remain
