The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday demanded that the Maharashtra state government review its decision to relocate the irrigation department's headquarters from Pune to Kolhapur and Solapur. Party members argued that moving the office out of Pune would adversely affect water supply management in the region.
Concerns Over Administrative Significance
Speaking at a press conference, AAP leader Abhijit More stated, "Attempts are being made to reduce Pune's administrative significance. Without any discussion in the Cabinet, decisions are being taken arbitrarily at the administrative level to hijack an important administrative headquarters from Pune." He emphasized that Pune is geographically centrally located with excellent road, rail, and air connectivity, and is close to the state secretariat, making it a suitable location for farmers to access water management headquarters.
Fragmentation of Water Management
AAP released a statement criticizing the decision to split the headquarters artificially and relocate it to two different cities. The party warned that this would lead to fragmentation rather than decentralization of comprehensive water management. "Dams, canals, and special projects are interdependent and interconnected. Separating these offices will weaken administrative coordination; files will cycle through Pune, Kolhapur, Solapur, and back to Pune, stalling major projects," the statement read.
More added that for effective water management of the Krishna-Bhima basin, senior officials such as the executive director, chief engineer (water resources), and chief engineer (special projects) must operate from a single central office. "Water resources projects require constant technical sanctions, budget approvals, and inter-departmental coordination. Relocating these offices will disrupt this essential coordination," he said.
The party urged the government to reconsider the decision and maintain the irrigation headquarters in Pune to ensure efficient water management for the region.
