Department of Land Resources (DoLR) Secretary Dilip Kumar on 30 October 2026 conducted an on-ground review of watershed development works under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in the villages of Varude, Gulani, and Wafgaon in Pune district, Maharashtra. The visit, confirmed through an official statement on 31 October 2026, focused on assessing the long-term upkeep and effectiveness of water harvesting infrastructure built under the scheme.

Key Developments from the Field Visit

During the review, Kumar urged villagers to collectively own the responsibility of maintaining and repairing water harvesting structures so that these assets remain functional for the next 20 years. He also called on communities to work towards transforming villages under the Khed Project into water-secure and self-reliant settlements, citing Hiware Bazar as a model to emulate.

'Water is the foundation of our future. Every drop of rain must be conserved to make villages water-secure and self-reliant,' Kumar told villagers during the visit.

What Villagers Reported on the Ground

Residents across 11 villages covered under the Khed Project said watershed development interventions had measurably improved groundwater levels, enabling farmers to cultivate two to three crops annually — a significant uptick in agricultural income and rural livelihoods. Notably, despite drought-like conditions this year, water stored in farm ponds and improved well levels linked to cement nala bunds and Continuous Contour Trench (CCT) structures had helped sustain standing crops, according to villagers.

Structures Reviewed and Their Design

Kumar inspected a range of watershed infrastructure developed using the ridge-to-valley approach, including Continuous Contour Trenches (CCT), earthen nala bunds, cement nala bunds, Kolhapuri-type weirs, and water storage ponds. He assessed their effectiveness in reducing rainwater runoff, enhancing groundwater recharge, and improving water availability for agriculture. The review also covered farm ponds, horticulture plantations, agricultural equipment provided to beneficiaries, and benefits extended to women's self-help groups.

Scheme Objectives and Broader Context

The WDC-PMKSY 2.0 aims to promote soil and water conservation, enhance agricultural productivity, and support sustainable rural development. This comes amid growing concern over water stress in rain-dependent agricultural regions of Maharashtra, where erratic monsoons have made groundwater management increasingly critical. The Khed Project review underscores the Centre's push to move beyond infrastructure creation toward ensuring long-term community-led maintenance — a gap that has historically undermined the durability of rural water assets.

What Comes Next

With the government emphasising sustained community stewardship, the focus is expected to shift toward training and capacity-building for village-level maintenance committees. The outcome of this review is likely to inform how future phases of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 are structured, particularly around post-construction accountability in drought-prone districts.