Maharashtra CM Links El Nino Conditions to Improved Water Conservation Awareness

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the potential El Niño weather pattern should be treated as a “blessing in disguise” to strengthen the state’s long-term water conservation efforts, as he directed officials to fast-track repair and maintenance of key water infrastructure projects across the state.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on water conservation preparedness, Fadnavis said the state government is closely monitoring alerts issued by meteorological agencies regarding possible El Niño conditions during the upcoming monsoon season. He stressed that Maharashtra must remain fully prepared to address any potential water scarcity challenges.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to prioritise water conservation projects that can be completed in a short time frame, instead of launching new large-scale initiatives. He called for a crash programme to repair dysfunctional Kolhapur-style weirs, locally known as Kolhapuri Bandharas, across the state on an urgent basis to improve water storage capacity.

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Fadnavis also suggested exploring innovative engineering solutions, including converting damaged weirs into bridge-cum-weirs using an arch-based design. According to government data, hundreds of such structures fall under the jurisdiction of the Water Resources Department and the Soil and Water Conservation Department. Once restored, these projects are expected to significantly expand irrigation capacity across lakhs of hectares.

The Chief Minister emphasized that funds for repairs should be routed through District Planning Committees and that execution must be tightly coordinated through designated agencies. He also directed officials to focus on strengthening existing water bodies and ensuring that all conservation work is completed within strict timelines due to the limited seasonal window.

In addition to water conservation, Fadnavis reviewed the state’s renewable energy and agricultural power infrastructure. He noted the growing adoption of solar energy in rural areas and called for improved distribution systems to reduce grid strain. He also suggested skill development initiatives at village level to support maintenance of solar infrastructure, aiming to create local employment opportunities.

The Chief Minister further highlighted the need for better load management in high-consumption agricultural districts such as Solapur, Ahilyanagar, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. He said systems must be developed to prevent feeder overloads and ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers, particularly during critical agricultural periods.

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