"First a battle for land, now water", 13th October 2008 , Hindustan Times

Farmers in the state are unhappy with the Maharashtra government's water policy, and are planning to protest and demand a change. Activists allege that the policy discriminates against the agricultural sector as it allows industries to eat into what should be the farmers' share of water. Maharashtra 's top priority is drinking water, followed by industry - rather than irrigation, as in other states. "The same policy encouraged the Reliance Group-promoted Mumbai Special Economic Zone to claim the water from the Hetawane Dam In Raigad district", said Patil. The farmers of 22 villages in the catchment area of the dam have opposed the company's move.

In Vidarbha's Amravati district, farmers fear that the state will cut down on irrigation supply and instead supply water to the three thermal power projects planned in the vicinity. In Nagpur district, the National Thermal Power Corporation's power plant is expected to get water form Gosikhurd dam. NTPC's other project in Solapur has also been assured supply from a nearby dam.