Maharashtra Budget 2026–27: River Linking Projects, Water Management and Flood Mitigation Plan Announced

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Budget 2026–27 outlines a series of large-scale water management initiatives, including major river-linking projects, urban water supply programmes and flood mitigation plans aimed at addressing long-term water challenges in the state.

Presenting the Budget in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government plans to strengthen water resource management through infrastructure development, digital monitoring systems and inter-basin water transfer projects.

As part of this strategy, the government announced the establishment of a State Water Information Centre in Nashik, which will provide digital and certified data on water resources across the state. The project is expected to cost about ₹71.20 crore.

Among the major irrigation initiatives, the government has approved the Wainganga–Nalganga river linking project, estimated to cost ₹94,968 crore, which aims to improve water availability in drought-prone regions.

The Budget also includes approval for several other river interlinking projects designed to divert surplus water from water-rich basins to drought-prone areas. These include the Damanganga–Vaitarna–Godavari river linking project costing ₹13,497 crore, the Nar–Par Girna river link project worth ₹7,465 crore, and the Damanganga–Ekdare–Godavari river link project estimated at ₹2,213 crore.

In western Maharashtra, the government announced the Neera–Karha river linking project, which is intended to provide drinking water and irrigation support to drought-prone areas of Baramati and Purandar talukas.

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The Budget also highlighted plans to improve urban water management. The government has proposed the Maharashtra Urban Water Supply, Sewage Management and Reuse Project, with an estimated cost of ₹5,860 crore, to be implemented with support from the World Bank.

The project aims to ensure 100 per cent treatment and reuse of urban sewage, while also strengthening the financial capacity of urban local bodies responsible for water and sanitation services.

In flood-prone regions, the government announced the Maharashtra State Responsive Development Programme (MRDP) with World Bank support, at an estimated cost of ₹2,240 crore, to address flood risks in Kolhapur and Sangli districts.

The programme will include diversion of floodwaters from the Krishna basin to drought-prone areas in western Maharashtra and Marathwada within the Bhima basin.

The Budget also referred to weather forecasts indicating the possibility of a drought-like situation in 2026 due to the potential impact of El Niño. In view of this, the government said measures will be taken to improve water conservation through programmes such as Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, water storage planning and fodder development initiatives.

According to the government, these water resource initiatives are aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure, ensuring urban water security and reducing the long-term impact of drought and floods in different regions of the state.