NEW DELHI, May 2: Two irrigation schemes of Maharashtra costing Rs 73 crore has been cleared by the Planning Commission.

TThe projects cleared are Wan major irrigation scheme and the Upper Manar medium irrigation scheme. The Wan project is estimated to cost Rs 26.85 crore and is likely to be

operational by March 2001. It is planned across the river Purna in the Tapi basin.It envisages construction of composite earth and masonry dam to irrigate about 19,177 heactare in Akola and Buldana districts. It is also estimated to provide 1.40 million cubic metre of domestic water supply. An area of 461.26 hectare would be submerged.

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