Sanjay Belsare - Executive Engineer, Palkhed Irrigation Division, Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra

Katepurna project is a major irrigation project in Katepurna sub-basin. Over the last 25 years, the project could utilise on an average 25% of its irrigation potential. The PIM approach has not only improved its irrigation utilisation, but also it has led to strong demand from farmers to reduce non-irrigation reservation and allocate water for irrigation. The amicable solution has been arrived at, as a result of fruitful dialogue among irrigation and non-irrigation users. Now with the benefits of Katepurna project accrued to the farmers of Katepurna command, area that is mostly in Purna sub-basin, the farmers in Katepurna sub-basin especially just downstream of dam, were demanding benefits of the project. There was strong agitation by farmers to support their demand. Sinchan Sahyog, a NGO has come forward to bring representatives of stakeholders and users of sub-basin water resources on one platform. The dialogue between users and stakeholders is in progress. Sinchan Sahayog is working on development of better partnership among all stakeholders and users at sub-basin level. A plan will be prepared, with their participation, to make effective use of water resources in the sub-basin catering needs of stakeholders and users.