aharashtra is the second highest populated, third largest in area and the second most industrialized state in India. The state of Maharashtra came into existence on 1 st May 1960. The Geographical location of the Maharashtra is bounded between latitude 16.4 0 to 22.1 0 N and longitude 72.6 0 to 80.9 0 E. As per 2011 census, the total population of Maharashtra is 112.37 Million, which is 9.29% of the India's population (1210.19 Million). The State has the geographical area of 0.307 Million Sq. Km., which is about 9.4 per cent of the total area of India. The average rainfall of the State is approximately 1360 mm. The maximum rainfall, about 88 per cent occurs in four months between June to September, about 8 per cent between October to December and remaining 4 per cent after December. Further, rainfall is ranging from 400 mm to 6000 mm in different parts of the State. It is revealed from this, that there is significant variation in rainfall distribution and its occurrence. The State witnesses frequent drought conditions. Almost 42.5% area of the State is drought prone.

Water is a prime natural resource, used for multiple uses as domestic, irrigation, industry, power generation, navigation etc. Water is fundamental resource to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable development. Water which was once considered as abundant has now become a scarce & economic resource. Water should be used in judicial and integrated manner to maximize economic and social welfare.

The distribution of water resources is uneven over a large part of the State. Such area is therefore, water deficit whereas a small part is bestowed with abundance in water. The State Water Policy formulated by the Government of Maharashtra in year 2003 envisages that, the water resources of the State shall be planned, developed & managed with a river basin and sub-basin as the unit. This policy states that, the distress in water availability during deficit period shall be shared equitably amongst different sectors of water use and also amongst upstream and downstream users.

Total water resource on earth is estimated to be about 1400 million cubic Km, which is 0.25% of the planet's mass and if spread evenly over its surface, it would cover the planet to a height of 2.7 Km. But more than 97% is in the form of oceans and seas, 2% is locked in ice-caps and glaciers and a large portion of remaining 1% lies far too deep in the ground to exploit. Thus only 0.2 million cubic km is fresh water in rivers, lakes, swamps, reservoirs and 23.4 million cubic km is ground water which is mostly saline.

India is second largest populated country in the world, having 16% of the world's population with just 4% of water resources. The main source of water is annual precipitation including snow fall, has been estimated to be of the order of 4000 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM). More than half of that, returns to atmosphere by evaporation and seepage in to the ground. The balance water resource, which occurs as natural run off in the rivers is estimated to 1869 BCM, considering both surface and ground water.

There are different

The sub basin wise surface and ground water potential available in Marathwada is given below.

The yield calculated for various dependability, is the surface water available on the ground in the number of sub basins. The yield at 75% dependability is generally considered for the design of the projects. But, whole quantity of surface water available cannot be Year 2022 ( ) The most effective ways to increase the irrigation potential for increasing the food grain production, mitigate floods and droughts and reduce regional imbalance in the availability of water is considered to be the inter-linking of the rivers to transfer water from the surplus rivers to deficit areas.

The criteria for the classification of the basin or sub basin is decided as per the guide lines given in the Report of Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission (1999) as given below. In almost all the basins, expect WFR basin in the State, planning of the available water is completed. Some basin and sub-basin are facing the problems of shortage of water due to lesser availability of natural or allotted water, as well as increase in demand both for irrigation and non-irrigation purposes. Whereas some basins e.g. WFR basin in the State have surplus water. In order to meet the demand of deficit basins, intra state water transfer schemes similar on the line of interstate water transfer schemes are porposed. Those schemes include inter basin transfer as well as intra basin water transfer (Inter sub basin) within the State. The details of planning for Transfer of water from surplus sub-basins to deficit sub-basins in the State are given in the Thus the total use of 230 TMC of water will be done from WFR basin out of total available water of 440 TMC in northest Konkan up to Ulhas sub basin.

While studying the water resources development and management in the State the quantity of basin-wise water available is calculated by considering 75% dependable yield, the sub-basin wise catchment area and the respective run-off. As the rivers are flowing Inter-States (except WFR) the water allotted by the Tribunals is considered for utilizing in the respective basins of the State. The surface water is proposed to be used for developing irrigation potential and for Non Irrigation use like domestic and industrial purposes. As per the guidelines for sectoral water use, prescribed by the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) about 25% storage of dams is proposed for N.I. use and rest of storage is used for developing irrigation potential in the command area of the project.

Similarly the inter basin river linking proposals in Maharashtra State are in advance stage of planning for transfer of surplus water from the West Flowing Rivers (WFR) of Konkan Basin to Godavari Basin, Krishna Basin and Tapi Basin. The State has finalized the Integrated State Water Plan (ISWP), and the guidelines for transfer of water from surplus sub basins to deficit sub basins are also given very clearly. Accordingly the sub basin-wise planning is done for all six basins in the State.