The Nashik district administration has announced a water shortage plan this year as well. The administration has estimated that the demand for tankers will be less compared to last year due to good rains this year. However, considering last year’s shortage, a plan of 200 tankers has been planned this year. An expenditure of Rs 8 crore is expected for this.
Officials from district management informed that there is a shortage in the villages and wards of Sinnar, Igatpuri, Peth, and Surgana talukas of the district. Although it is less this year, there are signs that it will increase by the end of May. After women took out a march for water in Igatpuri, approval was given to start one tanker. However, there are reports that the tanker has not actually started. The administration says that it will start in a day or two.
Although there has been good rains this year, an action plan of a total of 147 tankers has been prepared for 484 villages and 567 wards in the district. In this action plan, a plan of Rs 20.70 lakh has been planned for the acquisition of bore wells in 46 villages, and Rs 95.31 lakh for the acquisition of private wells in 146 villages. A plan of Rs 7.70 crore has been prepared for water supply through tankers and bullock carts in 814 places.
59.40% water storage in Gangapur Dam Group
Currently, more than 45% of the usable water storage is available in seven large and 17 medium dams in the district. Gangapur Dam Group has 59.40% of water storage. Considering the increasing heat from the last few days, there are signs that the temperature will increase further in April and May. Therefore, the water in the dam is likely to decrease due to evaporation. Along with this, since the groundwater level is likely to decrease due to increasing temperature and the water level of public wells and borewells will also decrease, it has been estimated that tankers will be needed for rural settlements in the future.
399 tankers last year
Last year, for the first time in five to six years, the number of tankers had reached 400. Water was being supplied to 720,372 people through 399 tankers in 1,307 places in 366 villages and 941 houses in the district. Last year, the maximum number of 72 tankers was in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik.
