Decision to release irrigation water from Dharoi Dam following farmers' demands

Taking into account the demands of farmers in Mehsana, the State Government has planned to release irrigation water from the Dharoi Dam between the 5th and 10th of the upcoming dates. Due to low rainfall in the current season, farmers' crops are drying up, leading to continuous demands for irrigation water. According to a report by Sandesh, low rainfall caused by the impact of El Nino has resulted in water scarcity in North Gujarat and Kutch. Farmers in districts such as Banaskantha and Sabarkantha were also in distress due to insufficient rainfall.

Sumit Patel, Executive Engineer of Dharoi Dam, stated that the dam currently holds 51 per cent water storage. It has been clarified that the administration has kept the drinking water reserves completely intact, ensuring that no shortage of drinking water will occur for the next 1 year, even if water is released for irrigation.

The State Government has declared only four districts as drought-affected this time. However, due to low rainfall, the requirement for water for agriculture has increased. This decision has been taken to save the farmers' crops.

The State Government has granted in-principle approval for the construction of a fish scale weir dam on the Banas River near Mahadeviya village in Disa taluka of Banaskantha at a cost of ₹581 crore. This dam will be 500 metres wide and will have seven steps. Through this project, water released from Dantiwada and Sipu dams will be stored, which will recharge groundwater and benefit people in a total of 100 villages of Disa and Kankrej talukas. The work is aimed to be completed by the year 2029.