Drought: MLA Jorgewar inspects Erai Dam, asks administration for clear water-sharing plan

Drought-like conditions have developed in Chandrapur district, and the water that is available must be accounted for properly and used with care, drop by drop. MLA Kishor Jorgewar said this as he gave instructions to the administration. He visited Erai Dam with District Collector Vasumana Pant and took stock of the water held there.

Jorgewar said the existing water should be planned in fine detail, keeping in mind how much will be needed in the coming days. Water must not be wasted under any circumstances, he said. The administration should ensure that water reaches the last person, he added.

Municipal Commissioner Naresh Akunri, Chief Engineer of the Chandrapur Thermal Power Station Anil Kathoye, Sub-Divisional Officer Vishal Kumar Meshram, Municipal Deputy Commissioner Sheshrao Tale, Tehsildar Vijay Pawar and District Disaster Management Officer Salim Sheikh were present on the visit. Also present were Jalesh Singh and Mahesh Gavari, executive engineers of the Chandrapur irrigation department, city engineer of the municipal corporation Ravindra Hazare and other officials.

From the BJP, former city unit president and corporator Subhash Kasangottuwar, Bharatiya Janata Party national executive member Prakash Devtale, BJP general secretary Namdev Dahule, Ravindra Gurnule, Manoj Pal, party leader in the house Shekhar Shetty, Jitesh Kulmethe, Balram Dodani, Tushar Som, Dashrath Singh Thakur, Amol Shende, Pralay Mashakhetri and Praveen Gilbile were present, along with six party workers.

The meeting discussed in detail how much water the dam holds now, how much more could be available, how much may be needed ahead and what the distribution plan should look like. Jorgewar said every aspect of water planning during a drought must be taken seriously. The administration should draw up a clear plan covering how many days the current stock will last, how much water different areas need and how it should be distributed accordingly. He also said no area should face injustice in the water supply.

According to Jorgewar, it is not right to depend only on dam water. Special efforts should also be made to revive other water sources. In many places there are natural water sources that have dried up for lack of upkeep and conservation. Such sources should be identified and the necessary work begun to make them flow again. Effective measures should also be taken to hold back the water of rivers, drains and streams and increase the stock.

He said that wherever dams can be built in the district, those sites should be surveyed and a plan made for construction. Priority should be given, where possible, to holding back rainwater runoff. This would help raise the groundwater level and help tackle future shortages. Leaks in water supply pipelines should be found and repaired immediately. Water loss in the supply system should be reduced so that as much water as possible reaches people.

Jorgewar said Erai Dam generates electricity and also provides drinking water, and both needs are important. A plan should therefore balance drinking water needs without disrupting power generation, and the departments concerned should coordinate their decisions. While distributing water, regular and full supply should reach the settlements at the far end, he said.

Jorgewar also said the water question could become more serious in a drought, so the administration should take the necessary precautions now. Along with immediate arrangements, long-term work that increases water availability should be speeded up. An action plan should bring together water retention, conservation, revival of water sources and the removal of flaws in the supply system. He said the administration should act thoughtfully so that people in the district do not have to face a water shortage, through proper water management and coordination among all departments.