Cost overrun of Rs 47,427 crore in Maharashtra irrigation projects: CAG

Of the 601 ongoing irrigation projects in Maharashtra, there was a cost overrun of Rs 47,427.10 crore in 363, while in 83 out of 87 test-checked projects, the cost overrun was to the extent of Rs 12,807.64 crore, said the CAG report tabled in Maharashtra legislature today. 

"Of the 601 ongoing projects, 225 projects were under execution for more than 15 years, of which, 77 projects were under execution for more than 30 years. In the test-checked projects, 16 projects were under execution for more than 30 years. Further, of the 601 ongoing projects, there was a cost overrun of Rs 47,427.10 crore in 363 ongoing projects, while in 83 out of 87 test-checked projects, the cost overrun was to the extent of Rs 12,807.64 crore," the CAG report said.

CAG's "Present performance audit on Management of Irrigation Projects" covering a period 2007-13 was tabled in the state legislature. CAG said the audit is an attempt to review not only the individual irrigation projects selected in the sample, but also discuss in sufficient detail the project-level planning, tendering and contract management and project implementation.

In 37 out of 87 test-checked projects on which an expenditure of Rs 9,078.58 crore had been incurred, complete land (forest and civil) was not acquired before commencement of work thereby depriving the users of the benefits of the projects, the report said.

Estimates for irrigation projects were prepared without proper survey of dam sites leading to changes in the original design after issue of work orders. In 15 out of 87 test-checked projects, improper survey before commencement of works resulted in an increase in cost of these projects by Rs 2,099 crore, besides delaying their completion. There was no well-defined system of granting administrative approvals and revised administrative approvals to the irrigation projects by the Irrigation Development Corporations. Three Irrigation Development Corporations granted administrative approvals to 63 projects amounting to Rs 2,467.94 crore in the non-backlog districts in violation of delegation of powers and the Governor's directives.

The CAG said that the Management Information System was poor due to discrepancies in various reports prepared by the Water Resources Department. The Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority also failed to perform its role as a regulator as envisaged in the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act, 2005, the CAG report said. The State Water Policy of 2003 envisaged formation of River Basin Agency for each river basin which was to have the responsibility and authority for preparation of integrated river basin plans. Based on the plans of respective River Basin Agencies, the state was to prepare a State Water Resource Plan.

However, the plan was not prepared for development and management of water resources in the state, the report said.

Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority cleared 189 projects during 2007-2013, though the State Water Resource Plan, based on which the projects were required to be cleared, was not prepared. The need for prioritising the completion of ongoing projects was stressed from time to time through Governor's Directives, High Power Committee and Planning Commission recommendations.

It was also expected that the backlog in physical terms would be liquidated as a result of enhanced allocation to the backlog districts. However, lack of prioritisation of projects as also new projects taken up in non-backlog districts resulted in thin spreading of the resources and consequently, the Water Resources Department was saddled with 601 projects which were under execution as on June 2013 with an estimated balance cost of Rs 82,609.64 crore.mThe balance cost was nine times the capital grant of the Water Resources Department for the year 2012-13.

Also, there was a physical backlog of 2.34 lakh hectares in four districts of Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Washim in the Vidarbha region as of April 2012. The implementation of Vishnupuri major irrigation project, initially approved in May 1979 at a cost of Rs 32.24 crore, was hampered by frequent changes in the scope of work, it said.