Pune: Amid stiff resistance from the MNS, the state irrigation department here today released 600 cusecs of water from city’s Khadakwasla reservoir to neighbouring Indapur and Daund tehsils, which are reeling under severe water shortage in wake of the prevailing drought situation in Maharashtra.
“Out of 1 TMC, 600 cusecs water has been released in the first phase and remaining water will be released in a phased manner to Indapur and Daund tehsils,” A A Kapole, Superintendent Engineer, Pune Irrigation Circle said.
He said the local administration and irrigation department have made all the arrangements to make sure that the water reaches its destination.
“Striking force, flying squads, technical staff, police and officials from revenue department will be keeping close watch to make sure that water is not lifted illegally from the canal enroute,” he said.
To avoid any untoward incident at the reservoir, police forces were deployed around the Khadakwasla reservoir.
Yesterday, MNS activists vandalised the state Irrigation department’s office here protesting decision of sharing water from city reservoirs prompting police to tighten bandobast outside the office of District Guardian Minister Girish Bapat in city’s Kasba area today.
“We have deployed two officers and 10 police personnel outside the office of the guardian minister,” senior inspector of Vishrambaug police station Hemant Bhat said here.
The issue of release of water from Khadakwasla reservoir to Indapur and Daund tehsils in the district hotted up after MNS workers staged a violent protest while corporators from various parties opposed the decision saying it would aggravate the water shortage in Pune city.
After yesterday’s incident, a case of rioting and damaging property was registered against MNS activists who vandalised Sinchan Bhavan, state Irrigation department’s office here.
Bapat, in a joint meeting two days ago , took the decision to release 1 TMC water to Indapur and Daund tehsils, which are facing scarcity.
The decision was, however, opposed by corporators of various parties in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and a delegation, led by mayor Prashant Jagtap, even submitted a memorandum to the district collector yesterday to “rethink” over the decision.
Barring BJP, all other parties demanded that the decision be revoked and also sought resignation of Bapat.
