Gosikhurd: After dream and disappointment comes a promise

Published on The Hitavada CityLine on May 15, 2013

The then PM Rajiv Gandhi speaking at bhoomipujan of Gosikhurd irrigation project on April 22, 1988

THEN... Twenty-five years ago, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performed bhoomipujan of Gosikhurd irrigation project at a place now known as Rajiv Tekdi. Also seen in this picture taken on April 22, 1988, are then Chimur MP Vilas Muttemwar (bearded), Saroj Khaparde, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others.

 Gosikhurd comes a full circle after 25 years...

By Kartik Lokhande 

Dream. Disappointment. Promise. These three words can best describe the 25-years-old journey of Gosikhurd irrigation project since its bhoomipujan.
It was on April 22, 1988, that the journey of this dream of a agriculturally rich Vidarbha began with the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performing its bhoomipujan. Then Chimur MP Vilas Muttemwar (who is now Nagpur MP) had taken efforts to get the bhoomipujan done at the hands of Rajiv Gandhi. A corner stone still stands well-decorated at the same spot, which is now known as Rajiv Tekdi, near Gosikhurd project site. The stone mentions date of bhoomipujan and dignitaries present. Apart from Gandhi, other dignitaries present on the occasion were the then Governor of Maharashtra K Brahmanand Reddy and the then Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan. Then, Gandhi had promised Vidarbha a dream of agricultural revolution in three of its districts namely Bhandara, Nagpur, and Chandrapur.
However, what followed in the years since 1988 was a tale of sheer disappointment. None of the Chief Ministers succeeding Shankarrao Chavan showed interest in visiting the site of a project that was touted as a dream for rainfed region of Vidarbha. Forest and environmental clearances, delays in execution of various components, changes in scope and design of the project, addition of different components, cost escalations, inadequate financial provision, and above all the disinterest on part of the Maharashtra Government made Gosikhurd a monument of neglect of Vidarbha’s development.
As if it was not enough, an unholy nexus of contractors, bureaucrats, and politicians siphoned off the money meant for the project. Huge money came but water could not reach the farmers. Poor quality of work not only attracted criticism but also raised questions about huge money spent on the project. To make matters worse, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Central Water Commission (CWC), Mendhegiri Committee, and Vadnere Committee pointed out irregularities in execution of the project and gave enough hints of corruption. Instead of pressing for punishment to guilty and bringing transparency in utilisation of funds received, some politicians launched a motivated campaign to block funds for the project. This, again, delayed the project completion.

NOW... Prithviraj Chavan became the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra to have personally visited Gosikhurd project site. During his visit on Tuesday, in which he announced revised rehabilitation package for PAPs, he was accompanied by Union Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel, Water Resources Minister Sunil Tatkare, Ramtek MP Mukul Wasnik, Minister of State Rajendra Mulak and others.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation issue had gone out of hand. The project-affected persons (PAPs) were given compensation as per the rate several years back. But, as project execution got delayed, PAPs did not leave the affected villages and continued with their life as usual. Nobody bothered to execute land acquisition process at least. As a result, when other things got sorted out and dam work was 100 per cent complete and storage was to be built, suddenly the Government machinery started talking about eviction of PAPs. By this time, PAPs had built resistance as one family had grown into two or three or four with passage of time as the younger ones knit their separate home. This increased number of affected families and claimants for compensation. With exhaustion of compensation they got years ago, PAPs started demanding revised package.
After a series of rounds of agitation, ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and ‘not now’ and ‘not possible now’, finally it took another Chavan to become Chief Minister of Maharashtra to get things sorted out even on rehabilitation front. On Tuesday, after 25 years and 21 days since bhoomipujan performed by Rajiv Gandhi and graced by Shankarrao Chavan, current Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan came with a promise to the same spot. Gosikhurd project, on Tuesday, came a full circle with Prithviraj Chavan announcing a revised rehabilitation package of Rs 1,200 crore for PAPs in an attempt to remove the last bottle-neck in way of speedier completion of the project. Whether he becomes successful in keeping his promise not only to the PAPs but to the region -- that has grown at least 25 years younger waiting for Gosikhurd project to irrigate the promised 2,50,800 hectares of agricultural land -- remains to be seen.

Status of rehab of Gosikhurd PAPs (March 2013)
* Area to be acquired -- 19,565 hectares
* Acquired area -- 10,045 hectares
* Affected villages -- 85
* Alternative gaothans -- 64
* New gaothans with 18 basic amenities -- 51
* Affected families -- 14,968
* Families shifted to new gaothans -- 4,023
* Families yet to shift -- 10,961

Gosikhurd Project -- Current Status
* Dam work -- 100 per cent done
* Canal work (Right Canal, Left Canal, Asolamendha, Tekepar LIS, Ambhora LIS, Mokhabardi LIS, Nerla LIS) -- 283.46 kms (total length), 236.19 kms (work completed)
* Distribution system (Right Canal, Left Canal, Asolamendha, Tekepar LIS, Ambhora LIS, Mokhabardi LIS, Nerla LIS) -- 1,90,000 hectares (total area); only 28,155 hectares (completed)
* Work of field channel -- 2,00,000 hectares (total area); only 11,801 hectares (completed)
* Irrigation potential -- 2,50,800 hectares (planned); 36,894 hectares (created)

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