CM to inaugurate Punand irrigation project on April 30

Nashik, Apr 28 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh will inaugurate the much-awaited Rs 470-crore Punand Irrigation project in Kalwan taluka of this district on April 30.

The irrigation project took 27 years to complete. It also includes a 300 kv power project, Kalwan MLA A T Pawar told reporters.

Mr Pawar informed that a mass marriage ceremony will also be held on the occasion wherein 351 tribals will tie the nupital knot.

Farmers and tribals from the region also propose to hold a rally to mark the occasion.

The foundation for the project was laid in 1981 by then Deputy Chief Minister Ramrao Adik but had remained pending owing to lack of funds. The Kalwan MLA, Mr Pawar, succeeded in securing Rs 158 crore from the Centre under the AIBP project which ultimately saw the completion of the project.

The project has been built at Suple village on Punand river in Kalwan taluka of the district. The project has a total water storage capacity of 1404 million cubic feet. Nearly 50,000 hectares of land in Kalwan, Satana, Deola, Malegaon and Chandwad talukas of the district will be benefitted by the project.

Mr Pawar informed that there were 245 project affected families who had been properly rehabilitated.

UNI GB GR AG1442