Rehab of Gosikhurd PAPs to be completed by Dec 2016

* Re-survey of some villages to be conducted to assess the condition and formulate appropriate response 

Staff Reporter 

Since the BJP-led Government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken over in Maharashtra, Gosikhurd mega irrigation project has received a major boost. Following the directives of the Chief Minister, the administrative machinery has started expediting the task of rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs) to clear way for increasing water storage in the project. 

“We are planning to complete rehabilitation of all the PAPs in Nagpur and Bhandara districts by March 2016. However, even if some issues crop up, it is my word that rehabilitation will be completed by December 2016,” said Anoop Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur. Anoop Kumar was addressing a press conference on Saturday evening, after a review meeting at his office here. He informed the reporters that various issues had been identified and being sorted out. As per the Chief Minister’s directives and those of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways; Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister of Nagpur district, various agencies concerned had cleared proposals that were pending for some time. 

The works under Phase-I were nearing completion at the new gaothans (sites of relocation of PAPs), and those under Phase-II were in progress. Due to ‘non-ownership’ of amenities at the relocation sites, many structures needed repairs. The proposal for special repairs has been cleared and the work is in progress, paving way for shifting of more number of PAPs, said Anoop Kumar. The process of according Gram Panchayat status to 34 villages also was in progress. As on September 14, of a total 51 affected villages in Nagpur district, 20 had been shifted. Similarly, in Bhandara district, of a total 85 affected villages, 38 had been shifted. Thus, in both districts, total 47 villagees remained to be relocated to new sites. 

Replying to a question, the Divisional Commissioner said that some villages like Turka, Masli etc were situated at a height above 242 metre mark (water storage in the dam is to be built up to this mark) and the villagers were not much willing to shift to other place. “There are certain peculiar conditions. To assess these conditions, a re-survey will be conducted and later appropriate measures will be taken to sort out issues, if any,” he said. Asked about Social Impact Assessment reports prepared for Nagpur and Bhandara districts, Anoop Kumar said that the respective Collectors were acting on the recommendations made in the reports. 

As far as Rs 1,199 crore special package for Gosikhurd PAPs was concerned, Anoop Kumar told the reporters that 24,794 cases involving an amount of Rs 807.73 crore were disposed of. Of this, an amount of Rs 786.47 crore was disbursed to PAPs concerned till September 14. “The remaining amount will be disbursed within a few days,” he added. 

On the issue of pollution of Gosikhurd project water due to sewage disposed of by Nagpur city in river Nag, Anoop Kumar said that he had talked to Shravan Hardikar, Municipal Commissioner; and authorities of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in this regard. “At present, Nagpur city is treating only 80 MLD sewage. Expansion of Bhandewadi sewage treatment plant to treat 200 MLD sewage is likely to be completed by December 2016. Bhandara Collector has been empowered to send a report to MPCB regarding sewage disposal by Kamptee and Kanhan municipal councils. Steps are being taken in positive direction,” he said. 

Avinash Surve, Chief Engineer, Gosikhurd national project; M A H Khan and S D Kulmethe, both Deputy Commissioners, also were present at the press conference. 

Gosikhurd cost proposed to be hiked to Rs 17,000 cr 

* Notice to both the contractors to complete the task of Left Bank Canal re-lining by June 2016 

A proposal for approval to revision of estimated project cost to Rs 17,000 crore is under consideration of State-level Technical Advisory Committee, said Avinash Surve, Chief Engineer, Gosikhurd national project. 

So far, an amount of Rs 7,700 crore has been spent on the project. This year, the project has got an allocation of Rs 700 crore. However, Surve said, a very minimal financial resource will be available for the project after utilising the allocation for rehabilitation package. “Hence, we have sought an additional Rs 300 crore this financial year,” he said. If the State-level committee clears proposal for grant of revised administrative approval to raising the cost of the project to Rs 17,000 crore, the Government will have to provide Rs 2,000 crore every year so as to complete the work of all the components of the project in next five years, he added. 

Replying to a question, Surve told reporters that the work of re-lining of Left Bank Canal of Gosikhurd project was in progress. “We have issued notice to both the contractors concerned, asking them to complete the task of re-lining of canal by June 2016. Otherwise, we will be forced to take penal action against them,” he said. So far, the canal lining was re-done up to 2.50 km in the first stretch of 1-10 km. Some work in 11-23 km stretch was done and entire re-lining work will be completed in two years, Surve said. 

Asked when will the water from Gosikhurd project reach the farms, Surve said that the plan was to achieve this by June 2016. Already, water was being provided for irrigation from Left Bank Canal and up to 30 km stretch on Right Bank Canal. By November 1, the height of water storage was planned to be increased to 242 metres, and the last phase of increasing storage up to 245 metres was targeted to be achieved by December 2016, he added. 

Major developments this year 

* March 26 -- Principal Secretary (Water Resources) gives nod to expenditure of Rs 7,52,41,000 for special repairs of amenities provided in new gaothans for project-affected persons 

* July 16 -- Revenue and Forest Department grants approval to form Grievances Redressal Committee to dispose of disputes. Till August 31, the panel headed by S D Jagirdar disposed of 56 cases 

* August 14 -- Chief Engineer (Distribution), MSEDCL, Nagpur, clears proposal to grant concession to PAPs for power supply connections in new gaothan 

* August 16 -- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visits Gosikhurd project and holds review meeting in which various decisions were taken. These decisions included inclusion of PAPs who have shifted to new gaothan, under Food Security Scheme; no electricity meter shifting charges for PAPs, initiating process of according Gram Panchayat status to 34 new gaothans, improving standards of urban amenities and preparing plan for ‘Model Village’, etc. 

* August 19 -- Chief Minister clears the pending proposal for extending the benefits of the package to increased number of families. 

(19-09-15)