Tapi River’s ₹1,407 Crore Transformation: The Shelgaon Milestone

The Shelgaon Barrage Medium Project, a key irrigation initiative on the Tapi River in Jalgaon district, has received its third revised administrative approval, now pegged at ₹1,407.20 crore.

Led by Minister for Water Resources and Disaster Management Girish Mahajan, the approval by the Water Resources Department (WRD) paves the way for the project’s completion, which is expected to bring around 9,128 hectares of land under irrigation. Initially sanctioned in 1997–98 at ₹198 crore, the project cost was revised to ₹699.48 crore in FY 2011–12 and further to ₹968.97 crore in FY 2017–18.

The barrage, designed with 18 gates and a total storage capacity of 4.11 TMC, has seen substantial progress. Major structural work has been completed, along with two of the four bridges in the submergence area, while the remaining components are under construction. The project spans 1,961.47 hectares of acquired land and is considered economically viable.

Once completed, the barrage will ensure year-round water availability for farmers across 11 villages in Yawal taluka, boosting agricultural productivity and reducing drought risks. Local farmers have welcomed the approval, acknowledging the accelerated push to complete the project.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.