Narmada water reaches dry village ponds in Dhar's Bagh during pipeline testing

Ponds in the Bagh area of Dhar district had been lying dry because of scanty rain. Narmada water has now begun reaching them. The main pipeline of the Narmada-Jhabua-Sardarpur micro irrigation scheme, which passes through the area, is being tested, and water is being released by opening scour valves during the testing.

Several ponds in the Wanda, Banki and Kanti areas have filled up. They had been empty for a long time. With water collecting in them, farmers hope to get water for irrigation. Villagers may also get relief in water for cattle and in their drinking water problem.

Suresh Sisodia, president of the BJP's Bagh mandal, had demanded before the divisional commissioner during the Jan Vishwas Abhiyan that Narmada water be brought to the ponds in the area. He had also told officials of the NVDA project and the construction agency about the water crisis. After a complaint on the CM Helpline, officials agreed to release water. The construction agency then began releasing water by opening scour valves of the main pipeline on the instructions of the Narmada Valley Development Authority.

On Friday, two valves were opened at Mehda Faliya and Bayadi Faliya in Wanda, filling two small ponds in the village. According to Suresh Sisodia, water from here will reach Ghumiya, Borkui and Pipariyapani. Nearby villages also hope to benefit.

Sadan Bhai, former sarpanch of Kanti, said that opening a valve on the Kanti-Banki boundary filled the pond at Banki. From there water also went to the Agar and Devdha ponds. Water has been released at Padabandha for three days, which has also filled Kanti's nistar pond. The Getta irrigation pond is expected to fill in the next two to three days. This could bring water to the canals of Getta and half of the Badbachh area.

Meanwhile, an air valve was tampered with in Padalya village, after which the construction agency has stopped the water supply. According to sarpanch Jamsingh Baghel, the agency has filed a police complaint in the matter. Officials said repair work is under way on the Jhabua line. For now, water will be released in the Wanda and Kanti areas for three days. According to an official of the implementing agency, once the scheme starts in Jhabua district, the valves here will be closed within the next three to four days.