Enough water to meet needs until mid-June: Min
MAPUSA
In a strategic effort to tackle water scarcity for drinking and irrigation, the State government has announced plans to construct 100 additional bandharas (check dams) by December 2025.
Despite this, the government assures that all existing dams in the State currently have sufficient raw water to meet supply needs until mid-June.
Water Resources Minister, Subhash Shirodkar, emphasised that these new bandharas will alleviate water shortages during the summer months.
“We are focused on enhancing the water storage capacity in the State,” stated Shirodkar.
“Our aim is to conserve ponds, open wells, and springs. The government has already initiated the construction of 100 new bandharas.”
Currently, the State boasts 384 existing bandharas, and with the upcoming additions, this number will rise to 484 by the end of 2025.
Incidentally, the government had last year assured to complete 100 new bandharas by May 2024.
Meanwhile, Shirodkar assured the public that the water storage capacity in the State’s dams is sufficient to meet drinking water needs.
“The recent summer rain has been beneficial. Apart from the Panchawadi dam, all other dams have enough water to last until mid-June,” he noted.
The Panchawadi dam, unlike others, lacks perennial storage capacity.
“This dam relies solely on rainwater, and thus we are supplementing its supply with an additional 30 to 40 million litres per day from Sanguem,” Shirodkar explained.
Addressing a recent incident involving the death of a youth in water pits, Shirodkar appealed for caution, particularly those who are not proficient swimmers.
He pointed out that WRD canals span 30 to 40 kilometers and it is impractical to station police along the entire route.
“We have installed fencing at many points along the canals,” he added.
Regarding the inspection of the Mhadei river basin, Shirodkar mentioned that the State government has submitted a proposal to PRAWAH but has yet to receive a response.
“The Karnataka government opposes the inspection, citing the matter as sub-judice. We await PRAWAH’s decision on this issue,” he said.
The construction of these new bandharas is a crucial step towards ensuring water security and supporting agricultural activities in the State.
