Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Rs 60,000 crore cost overrun in Maharashtra irrigation projects: CAG

Rs 60,000 crore cost overrun in Maharashtra irrigation projects: CAG

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Jun 15, 2014   modified Modified on Jun 15, 2014
-The Times of India
 

MUMBAI: In a severe indictment of the state irrigation department, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India that inspected 601 ongoing projects in the state has found a cost overrun of Rs 60,235 crore. Nearly 77 projects have been underway for more than 30 years and another 195 projects for more than 15 years.

Of the 601 ongoing projects, there was a cost overrun of Rs 47,427 crore in 363 projects and another Rs 12,808 crore in another 83 projects.

The CAG, which has carried out a performance audit for the period 2007-13, has found that 189 projects were cleared by the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority in this period without preparing the mandated State Water Resource Plan. Estimates for irrigation projects were prepared without proper survey of dam sites leading to changes in the original designs after issue of work order.

"There was no well-defined system of granting administrative approvals and revised administrative approvals to the irrigation projects by the Irrigation Development Corporations (IDC). Three IDCs granted administrative approvals to 63 projects worth Rs 2,468 crore in violation of the governor's directives. Further, in 100 ongoing projects an expenditure of Rs 2,368 crore was incurred without approval from the competent authority.

In 37 contracts, mobilization advance was paid to contractors though the contract conditions did not provide for such advance.

With regard to safety and quality control, the CAG found that 348 large dams remained uninspected for 10 years at the end of March 2013.

"Officers of the Quality Control Circles inspect the dam construction sites and issue red inspection slips in case of serious deficiencies. Works should not resume unless the deficiencies are rectified. However, 30 out of 81 dam works where such slips were issued were continued without obtaining OK cards. No inspection schedule was prepared by the Nagpur and Aurangabad Quality Control Circles. Compliance to inspection notes of the Quality Control Organization on the construction works was poor. Of the 5,991 inspection notes issued during 2009-13, 2,411 were outstanding,'' said the report.

It found that the irrigation potential created in the state was 48.26 lakh hectares as of June 2011 while that utilized as of June 2012 was 32.51 lakh hectares (67.4%). The evaporation loss of live storage from dams increased from 17.6% (2007-08) to 19.7% (2011-12). "However, analysis of the water audit reports revealed that evaporation loss in 17 projects was more than 200% of the live storage indicating incorrect assessment," it added.

The CAG has indicted the irrigation department for poor repair and maintenance of dams. "In two major projects (Khadakwasla and Kukadi) and two medium projects (Rajnala and Wadiwale), the irrigation potential utilization was very low due to substantial leakages of water. In two major projects (Bhatsa and Ujjani) and Hetawane medium project, there was water loss due to leakages in dams, sluice gates and damage to the rubber seal of emergency gates," said the report.

The benchmark for average irrigation system performance was considered by the water resources department at 130 hectare per million cubic metre of water. The benchmarking report for 2009-10 revealed that in 30 major projects and 78 medium projects, it was less than the benchmark. In 2010-11, the numbers had increased to 34 major projects and 88 medium projects which were below the benchmark. The average canal conveyance efficiency of main canals in five regions during 2007-11 ranged between 8.68% (Amravati) and 77.24% (Aurangabad).


The Times of India, 15 June, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rs-60000-crore-cost-overrun-in-Maharashtra-irrigation-projects-CAG/articleshow/36565012.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close