Parliament Question: Status of rural infrastructure projects in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026 STATUS OF RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN MAHARASHTRA 1736 Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni: Will the Minister of Rural Development be pleased to state: (a) the latest status of rural infrastructure projects approved in Maharashtra, including funds released and works completed; (b) the implementation of soil and water conservation programmes aimed at boosting agricultural productivity; (c) the measures taken to support tribal farmers in Nashik and neighbouring districts with respect to irrigation and forest rights; and (d) steps to ensure effective utilisation of rural development funds and improved monitoring of scheme outcomes? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) & (b): For development of rural infrastructure, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing schemes/programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY- G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) across the country including in the State of Maharashtra. The latest status of rural infrastructure projects approved in Maharashtra, including funds released and works completed, wherever maintained/ applicable is as under: i. Under PMGSY, since its inception till 08.02.2026, in the State of Maharashtra, 7,058 roads with a total length of 34,476 km and 1,110 bridges have been sanctioned at a project cost of Rs.15,107 crore. Out of these, 6,687 roads covering 32,318 km and 933 bridges have been completed at an expenditure of Rs.13,897 crore (including the state share). ii. Under PMAY-G, as on 10.02.2026, in the State of Maharashtra, a cumulative target of 43,70,829 houses has been allocated by this Ministry against which 41,42,491 houses have been sanctioned to the beneficiaries by the state, 1st installment of assistance has been released to 38,71,237 beneficiaries and 16,46,939 houses have been completed. The Ministry has released Rs. 18,994.55 crore (including Rs. 1,029.69 crore through SNA- SPARSH during FY 2025-26) as Central Share to the State of Maharashtra since inception of the PMAY-G I.e. 2016-17 to 2025-26 (as of 31.01.2026). iii. Under MGNREGS, the details of works completed, ongoing and expenditure made on these works during 2025-26, in the State of Maharashtra, under different categories of works such as Water Conservation and Water Harvesting, Micro Irrigation Works, Page 1 of 4Renovation of traditional water bodies, Land Development, Drought Proofing and others is given at Annexure. iv. Under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, the department has sanctioned 140 watershed projects covering an area of 5.26 lakh hectare(ha) with total project cost of Rs. 1251.14 crore (Central share Rs. 750.68 crore) in Maharashtra. So far, an amount of Rs. 554.46 crore has been released to Maharashtra as Central share. As per information updated by State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) of Maharashtra on MIS, under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (up to 3rd Qtr. of FY 2025-26), about 67354.62 ha area covered with soil and moisture conservation activities, 1456 No. of water harvesting structure created/renovated and 1,40,345 no. of farmers benefitted. Soil and water conservation programmes conservation is planned, funded and executed by the State Governments as per their priorities and resources. The role of the Government of India is catalytic, providing technical support and partial financial assistance under related schemes. As per the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is an umbrella programme for irrigation and water conservation implemented by the DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Its components include: i. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): Focuses on completion of major and medium and Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) projects for creation of new irrigation potential/restoration of irrigation potential in the country. ii. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): Sub-components such as Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD&WM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies and Ground Water (GW) development. (c): The Per Drop More Crop component, which was earlier part of PMKSY, is now being implemented separately by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DoA&FW) under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). It deals with the adoption of precision- irrigation such as Drip and sprinkler and other water saving technologies. In addition to this, the WDC-PMKSY, is being implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) which works toward integrated development of rainfed areas towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of ground water, arresting runoff and promoting extension activities relating to water harvesting, water management and crop alignment for farmers etc. Further, under MGNREGS, works have been undertaken to strengthen irrigation facilities and improve water availability. The details of water conservation and water harvesting works taken up in the district of Nashik during the financial year 2025-26 (as on 09.02.2026) is given below: Water Conservation and Water Harvesting in the district of Nashik under MGNREGS during FY 2025-26 (as on 9th February 2026) No. of works Exp (in Rs lakh) No. of works Exp (in Rs lakh) 252 544.51 354 1148.2 Page 2 of 4As far as Forest rights are concerned, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) being the nodal Ministry for monitoring the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. As per the provisions of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (in short, FRA) and Rules made thereunder, the State Governments and UT Administrations are responsible for implementation of various provisions of the Act and are being implemented in 20 States and 1 UT. Ministry of Tribal Affairs monitors the Monthly Progress Reports submitted by States/UT. However, DoA&FW has been entrusted with improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities by adopting saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspiration districts which will benefit FRA (Forest Rights Act) Patta holders through convergence of its schemes with an outlay of Rs 2500 Cr (Rs 500cr x 5yrs) over the period of 5 years. (d): Necessary guidelines/instructions have been issued from time to time to ensure smooth implementation of rural development schemes/programmes. For ensure effective implementation of the schemes/programmes in the rural areas of the country, MoRD has evolved a comprehensive multi-level and multi-format system of monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of rural development schemes, including Performance Review Committee Meetings, District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (“DISHA”) meetings, National Level Monitors (NLMs), Area Officers Schemes, Common Review Mission, Concurrent Evaluation and Impact Assessment Studies. State specific reviews of States/UTs are also undertaken from time to time and action is taken on the basis of their findings. The schemes have been brought upon end-to-end transaction-based MIS, which enables all the stakeholders to monitor status of schemes in a real time basis. The works are photographed with geo- tags and time stamps. All the data of RD schemes are available on public domain. Social Audits are also conducted for some Schemes like Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and PMAY-G. Ombudsman are also appointed for attending to any grievances regarding MGNREGA works. In addition to this, grievance redressal is being given due attention in all schemes of the Rural Development. Regular coordination with the State Govt. for preparation of the fund release proposals and documentation is made and timely advice is tendered to them in this regard. In cases of delay, the matter is escalated to higher levels for seeking release of funds. ***** Page 3 of 4Annexure Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of the Rajya Sabha Unstarred Q.No.1736 reg. “Status of Rural Infrastructure Projects in Maharashtra” to be answered on 13.02.2026. Category-wise details of works taken up during 2025-26 under MGNREGS in the State of Maharashtra (as on 9th February 2026) Completed Ongoing Categories of Works No. of Exp (in Rs lakh) No. of works Exp (in Rs lakh) works Rural Infrastructure 904 2,544.12 4,044 3,026.98 Drought Proofing 8,447 2,795.92 34,481 17,619.31 Flood Control and Protection 725 1,769.06 911 1,651.64 Land Development 821 838.02 1,372 569.76 Micro Irrigation Works 212 577.52 322 507.39 Renovation of traditional water 1,024 1,342.15 1,834 4,374.75 bodies Rural Connectivity 10,528 57,042.53 49,730 73,418.68 Rural Sanitation 1,550 431.33 2,325 125.59 Water Conservation and Water 4,969 6,376.83 8,140 8,567.47 Harvesting Works on Individuals Land 5,27,260 1,22,644.24 16,67,172 2,81,423.10 (Category IV) Total 5,56,440 1,96,361.72 17,70,331 3,91,284.67 ***** Page 4 of 4