Launched with fanfare, Irai rejuvenation unlikely to happen before monsoon

Chandrapur: With less than a month left for onset of monsoon, there are dismal chances of the revival of rejuvenation works for Irai river, which were stalled within a week of launch for lack of funds. It is seen as a major failure of guardian minister Vijay Wadettiwar, who had launched the work with great pomp and show, as the district administration has refused to release necessary grants from district mining fund, despite announcements made by him.
Irai river is only source of drinking water for Chandrapur city and irrigation of agricultural land around it. However, the 35.2 km long stretch of river beyond the Irai dam up to confluence with Wardha river has virtually dried up. The river bed has turned into a heap of dried up soil mounds and scattered jungle of shrubby vegetation. The water flow in river is reduced to a trickling stream. The river once used to be 35 feet deep, but now it is hardly 20 feet in depth.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had ordered the irrigation department to provide machinery for the deepening work at a special meeting on the issue of Irai river with Wadettiwar. The latter was supposed to arrange funds to operate the machinery, and he had directed the collector to provide Rs6 crore from mining royalty fund.
The deepening and cleaning drive for Irai river was launched with a fanfare, and the river was to be excavated and cleaned for 7.5 km long stretch between Padoli railway bridge to Chorala bridge. Some 5 lakh cubic tonnes of silt and soil were to be excavated to clean and deepen the river. All this work was to be done through the mechanical subdivision of the irrigation department. Big machines and vehicles for the work were called from Nagpur and Amravati irrigation departments. But the work stalled within a week of launch for lack of funds.
Executive engineer, irrigation department, SV Kale admitted work is stalled for lack of funds. The irrigation department of Amravati and Nagpur, from where machinery was summoned, have also asked for their return. He also admitted that delay in release of funds would keep the work held up till next year, as just three weeks are left for onset of monsoon. The collector has sought guidance from the government for release of funds for Irai, and work would resume only if funds are provided in time.