After four decades of struggle, Saklai irrigation scheme gets nod from state govt

Nashik: The state govt has officially sanctioned funds for the long-awaited Sakalai lift irrigation scheme, a project expected to be completed within the next four years. Originally conceived by the late Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, the scheme has been a focal point of relentless advocacy by residents of 32 local villages through decades of shifting political promises.The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday, presided over by deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Also in attendance were the mnister for water resources and district guardian minister for Ahilyanagar, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.The Sakalai lift irrigation scheme will be established at Mhase village, drawing water from the Ghod Dam reservoir. The water will be lifted approximately 208.34 meters across four stages, discharging into distribution tanks located atop the hills at Chikhali and Ghutewadi.Once elevated, the water will be distributed via a gravity-based closed-pipeline system. This network is designed to replenish 196 water storage structures—including minor irrigation tanks, percolation tanks, village tanks, and cement nala bunds (CNBs)—across the 32 beneficiary villages.The scheme is authorised to utilise a total of 1.80 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, with 1.60 TMC allocated for irrigation and 0.20 TMC designated for drinking water.Former MP of Ahilyanagar, Sujay Vikhe Patil, welcomed the announcement during an interaction with local farmers. "I am heartened that the state govt has sanctioned the funds. Fulfilling this scheme was a primary commitment during my term as MP, and while it took time to navigate state approvals, that promise is now being kept," he said.In a separate statement, minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil took aim at political opponents. "Local residents were previously misled by certain political groups regarding this issue. Today's decision proves that the BJP-led government is truly striving for the development of the people," the minister stated.The project's completion is expected to provide a significant boost to the agricultural economy of the region, which has long grappled with water scarcity.