Maharashtra to get 5 TMC water from Ukai dam as Jal Shakti Minister Patil issues immediate directions

Maharashtra will get five TMC of water from Ukai dam, out of its share fixed in the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal award. Directions to this effect were given at a meeting of the high-level review committee of the Narmada Control Authority. The state is currently facing drought and there is fear that the water crisis will deepen, so the meeting was closely watched.

The meeting was held by video conferencing and was chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also took part. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented Maharashtra's case and demanded the water due to the state.

Fadnavis briefed the meeting on action taken so far on Maharashtra's responsibilities under the Narmada project. He said the Narmada tribunal award sanctions ten TMC of water for Maharashtra. Of this, five TMC is to come from the diversion canal, while the remaining five TMC was to be given from Ukai dam.

On this basis, Fadnavis asked the Union Jal Shakti Minister and the Gujarat Chief Minister to grant approval. He said it had already been decided at an earlier meeting held in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that Maharashtra would be given its share of water as per the rules. He told the meeting that Maharashtra was therefore expected to receive water from Ukai dam.

After Fadnavis made the point, Patil gave immediate directions. He made it clear that Maharashtra should get its share of water. Fadnavis later wrote on social media that Patil had given immediate directions to release five TMC of water from Ukai dam. He also said the Jal Shakti Minister and the Gujarat Chief Minister were requested to give the formal approvals needed for arranging the diversion canal.

Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Lokesh Chandra and Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Eknath Dawale were also present. According to Fadnavis, this was the 15th meeting of the review committee of the Narmada Control Authority.