Low water level in Guj dams: SRPF deployed along Narmada canal

The dams in Saurashtra and Kutch regions are left with just 10 per cent water and these areas now solely dependent on the Narmada canal network, along which 147 SRPF jawans have been deployed to stop water pilferage, Gujarat government said today.
State Water Supply Minister Vijay Rupani, addressing a press conference about steps being taken by the government to cope with the water scarcity in the state, said several measures are being taken by the government so that people get drinking water.
"Due to two subsequent weak monsoons, dams were not filled to their capacity in various parts of state. This has caused scarcity. In Saurashtra and Kutch, only 10 to 11 per cent water is left in dams. Among the dams in Saurashtra, some are completely empty today," Rupani said.

"As Gujarat generally gets its first showers by June 15, we have to wait for two more months. We are taking various measures to cope with the situation. We have started a control room, where people can call us and register their water-related complaints," he said.
According to the Minister, eight districts - Jamnagar, Devbhoomi-Dwarka, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Dahod, Panchmahal and Amreli - are the worst hit.
The state has increased the water supply given to these districts since last one month through Narmada canal network. Where there is no canal network, such as in Dahod, new hand pumps and bore-wells are being set up, he said.

"The situation would have been worse in the absence of Narmada and canal network. As local water resources (dams) are drying up, our water supply is now solely dependent on Narmada network, particularly in Saurashtra and Kutch," he said, adding that around 10,000 villages across Gujarat are now connected through Narmada canal network.

"147 jawans of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed to stop theft of water from Narmada canals across the state. There are districts where water thefts are rampant, such as in Surendranagar and Dahod.
According to Rupani, all District Collectors have been
given permission to deploy tankers wherever necessary.

"We provide water through tankers at those places, where canals or local resources are not available. As of now, we are providing water through tankers in 231 villages and 209 small localities near villages. In the next two months, we are preparing to cover another 300 villages," Rupani said.
Earlier on March 31, Gujarat government had declared 527 villages of the parched Saurashtra region as partially scarcity-hit owing to deficient rainfall during last monsoon.
According to Rupani, the situation in Gujarat is much better than neighbouring Maharashtra, which is hit by severe water crisis in many parts of state.
"As of now, we have not sought any help from Centre to tackle the situation. Maharashtra is different. They have declared scarcity while we have not declared it yet. The state government is fully prepared to cope with the present situation," he said.