Farmers across 6K hectares heave a sigh of relief as govt announces renovation of section of Kukadi canal after three decades

Nashik: It took over about three decades for the state govt to provide funds for sanctioning the lining work along with the renovation of 84-km section of Kukadi Canal that will benefit farmers across 6,000 hectareS of farmland which are part of Ahilyanagar, Pune and Solapur districts.The decision, issued via a govt resolution, follows consistent follow-up by legislative council Chairman Ram Shinde, with the govt. The work will now be executed by Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation, and it has been made mandatory to utilise the funds sanctioned for this purpose exclusively for these specific, designated tasks.According to a senior officer from WRD, "The work of renovation and lining will benefit the agricultural infrastructure of western Maharashtra and Marathwada, as administrative approval has been granted for Rs47.03 crore renovation. The project, aims to modernise the distribution system that has served the region for over three decades."The Kukadi Project is a lifeline for seven drought-prone talukas across Pune, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur districts. However, the canal had not seen significant maintenance in 25 years.Constant water flow without continuous lining led to structural degradation and overgrown vegetation; massive leakages and wastages, besides delayed delivery of water to farmers. Dilapidated infrastructure including crumbling culverts, outlets, and bridges obstructed the water flow."The restoration works that will be executed under government's ‘special repair' scheme will include restoration of the canal cross-section and stone lining in deep-cut areas, overhauling old road bridges, canal drops, and inspection paths and thus plug the leakages that will help in restoration of irrigation to 6,000 hectares of land within the project's command area," said the officer."The renovation will specifically benefit the talukas of Ambegaon, Shirur, Junnar, Parner, Karjat, Shrigonda, and Karmala talukas ensuring more efficient water cycles for farmers who have long struggled with conveyance losses," the officer added.