Fear of water thefts looms in Valsad, Navsari district

SURAT: Valsad and Navsari were among the few districts in the state that received over 100% of their average annual rainfall in 2018 monsoon .


While Navsari received nearly 111% of the district’s average annual rainfall, Valsad recorded around 102%. But the fast-depleting Ukai dam , the major source of drinking water and irrigation in south Gujarat, has triggered fears of water theft.

For the first time in so many years, the irrigation department has sought police protection near the Kakrapar and Ukai canals passing through some villages of both districts where they fear theft of water.

“It is for the first time that we are supplying water under heavy police protection at places like Takkarwada and Kochwada in Valsad and Bamanvel, Manekpore, Soldhara, Amadara and Undvel in Navsari district as there is fear that some people might try and draw water illegally from the canals,” said Sandip Mahakal, superintending engineer, Surat irrigation circle.

As temperatures soar, the demand for water in South Gujarat region and Surat city has risen significantly. The regular supply of water has gone up to 1,400 million litres per day (MLD) from the usual 1,200 MLD on selected days in Surat city.

With just 731.21 million cubic million (MCM) of water left in the Ukai dam at 288.86 feet level (as on Wednesday), when final irrigation water supply cycle is over by mid-May, there will be just 231 MCM of water left in the dam. The supply of 500 MCM water for irrigation is the last for this year through Kakrapar and Ukai canals.

Girish Pandya, Navsari superintendent of police, Navsari, said, "Giving police protection is a precautionary measure taken after the request of irrigation department. We have provided 10 policemen in Chikhli taluka to guard the canal through which Ukai water flows to these villages. They patrol the canal mostly at night when the water is released."

In Navsari taluka too, three policemen have been put up for guard. “The deployment will be done according to the requirement and demand of irrigation department to thwart illegal drawing of the water from the canals,” said Pandya.

Authorities have been supplying 31cusecs of water in Valsad and 1,150 cusecs of water in Navsari district on a daily basis.

Mahakal said that they released 4,000 cusecs of water on Wednesday morning and will continue to release 3,000 cusecs for the next two days to maintain level at Singanpore weir-cum-causeway in Surat city.