Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 6: In a significant step towards sustainable water management, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday approved the formation of the Maharashtra State River Rejuvenation Authority (MSRRA). The newly constituted body will spearhead efforts to revive the natural flow of rivers, reduce pollution, and undertake comprehensive rejuvenation initiatives across the state.

The announcement came following a detailed presentation by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde, who outlined the core structure and responsibilities of the Authority. MSRRA will play a pivotal developmental and regulatory role — approving Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), managing river basins, resolving land and encroachment issues, and recommending key projects for national-level funding and support.

The Chief Minister will chair the Authority, while Minister Munde will serve as Vice-Chairperson. A State Level Executive Committee, also chaired by the Environment Minister, will assist in operationalizing river rejuvenation strategies. This committee will comprise experts from prestigious institutions like IIT, financial and legal advisors, and the Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

To ensure daily coordination and execution, a dedicated secretariat under the MPCB will be established.

“The Authority will focus not just on environmental revival, but also on strategic planning to protect river ecosystems and ensure sustainable water resources for future generations,” said Munde.

Parallel to this development, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan emphasized the urgency of accelerating irrigation projects in the state to secure long-term agricultural productivity. Chairing key meetings over the weekend, he directed that all under-construction irrigation works under various regional corporations be expedited and completed within fixed timelines.

“Increasing irrigation coverage is critical. These projects must be meticulously planned and executed. We must also focus on reclaiming water strips and act swiftly where necessary,” said Mahajan.

At the 87th Governing Board meeting of the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation, 42 key topics were discussed. Similarly, 25 and 18 topics were taken up in the 71st and 88th meetings of the Tapi and Konkan Irrigation Development Corporations, respectively.

Together, the establishment of the MSRRA and the renewed focus on irrigation expansion mark a robust dual approach — revitalising Maharashtra’s rivers while ensuring agricultural resilience through improved water availability.