WRD minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil during the meeting of the canal advisory commmittee of Jayakwadi dam on Monday
WRD minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who chaired a meeting of the canal advisory committee for Jayakwadi dam on Monday, said the release of water for the first rotation will begin on Nov 5. As per the draft plan, the first rotation was proposed to begin on Nov 15. Referring to the current 72% live storage in Jayakwadi dam, Vikhe Patil said there is no question of releasing water from upstream dams of Jayakwadi project from Nashik region as per the established principles of equitable water sharing.
The minister appealed to the farmers to use water released judiciously with proper planning in order to get maximum benefits.
However, in view of the drought in Marathwada, the need of crops and soil moisture, public representatives had demanded an early release of the first rotation,” Vikhe Patil said. “In Jan, the available water storage will be reviewed again and a decision will be taken later on whether an additional rotation can be given,” he said. “Considering the needs of the rabi season, livestock, and the drinking water requirements of residents, it has been decided to release three rotations from Jayakwadi dam at an interval of one month each.