Chief Minister discusses environment, water management, agriculture and development at ‘Sushasan Samvad: Mumbai Sankalp’
Mumbai, September 2026 : Language is not a medium for dispute but an effective tool for dialogue, coordination and bringing society together, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis made the remarks during a special interview with Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar at the ‘Sushasan Samvad: Mumbai Sankalp’ programme organised by Panchjanya in Mumbai. During the interaction, the Chief Minister spoke at length on a range of economic, social, cultural, environmental, agricultural, employment and development-related issues concerning Maharashtra and the country.
Focus on environmental conservation and pollution control
Fadnavis said the effects of climate change had become increasingly visible in recent years. Therefore, along with the state government, every section of society must contribute to environmental conservation and pollution control.
The government is focusing on increasing the use of clean and renewable energy. Planning is underway to increase the share of electricity generated through solar power.
He said effective measures to address climate change and control pollution could help resolve several environmental challenges.
Maintaining soil productivity, conserving water resources and preventing water pollution will be among the major challenges in the coming years. Measures must be taken to ensure that polluted water does not enter water sources, he added.
Water management to provide relief to drought-hit areas
The state government is focusing on long-term water management to address the imbalance in water availability and geographical distribution across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said various projects were being planned to make proper use of available water and provide it to drought-affected regions.
The Wainganga-Nalganga river-linking project has been planned to divert water from the Wainganga River in Vidarbha, which currently flows towards the sea, towards drought-prone areas through water-management measures.
The project is expected to help provide water to Buldhana and other drought-affected parts of Vidarbha.
Planning is also underway to make more effective use of water flowing into the sea through west-flowing rivers from the Western Ghats. Efforts are being made to divert surplus water to drought-prone areas to improve the availability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Water management to address both floods and drought
While some parts of Maharashtra frequently face floods, several other regions experience water scarcity. Fadnavis said surplus water needed to be properly managed and utilised for drought-prone areas.
Work is underway on measures to divert excess floodwater into reservoirs and use it through river-linking and irrigation projects.
The projects will be implemented in phases, with the long-term objective of reducing the impact of drought in Maharashtra through integrated water management, he said.
Timely assistance to farmers during drought and natural disasters
Fadnavis said the state government was implementing various measures to ensure that farmers receive timely assistance when crops are damaged due to excessive rainfall, unseasonal rains or other natural disasters.
Following natural calamities, damage assessment reports are prepared and proposals are submitted to the Central government for assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per applicable norms.
Assistance is then transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
He said government schemes were also being effectively implemented to provide farmers with irrigation facilities, electricity and financial assistance.
Focus on transparency in implementation of schemes
The government is increasingly using digital technology to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes reach eligible beneficiaries in a transparent and effective manner.
Fadnavis said Aadhaar-based verification, e-KYC and direct benefit transfers were helping improve transparency in the implementation of government schemes.
He added that necessary verification procedures were being undertaken to keep beneficiary information updated and ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of various schemes.
Governance to accelerate development
Good governance is not limited to administrative procedures. Providing citizens with timely, transparent and effective services is an important component of good governance, Fadnavis said.
The government is focusing on accelerating development through modern technology, efficient administration and long-term planning, he added.
Book by N.H. Palakar released
Fadnavis also released the book ‘Man of the Millennium Dr. Hedgewar’, authored by N.H. (Nana) Palakar. Several dignitaries from different fields were present on the occasion.
Actor and Lok Sabha MP Ravi Kishan, along with prominent personalities from various sectors, attended the ‘Sushasan Samvad: Mumbai Sankalp’ programme.
The event featured discussions on various aspects of good governance, development, the economy, culture, healthcare, the environment and social transformation.
