For the past several years, Valpoi Taluka farmers are facing water shortage problem in their fields and farms. The Bandharas, which have been built by Water Irrigation Department Valpoi, across all the rivers of Sattari are in bad condition. The iron plates, used for blocking and storing the water through Bandharas, have developed many leakages due to which water is not getting stored properly.
Most tributaries of the rivers are getting totally dry, during the summer season. So every year, from March onwards farmers are facing water shortage. Many times farmers have complained regarding this bandharas’ bad conditions to the Irrigation Department Valpoi, but the concerned authority has failed to take action, say farmers.
From 2004 onwards, the Water Resources Department had started constructing Bandharas. Till now, the Irrigation Department Valpoi has built 74 Bandharas, out this 67 have been built in tributaries and seven in River Mhadei.
There are four main rivers of Taluka — Mhadei, Ragada, Velus and Valvanti. There are many small rivers which are flowing only in monsoon season and since they get totally dry after the monsoons they are called gutters. Among them are Mauxi river, Khotodem Nala, Advoi, Dharkhand, Shelpkhurd, Dhavem, Mauloli, Honda, Shigne, Brahmakarmali and Charavane river.
Through Lift Irrigation Scheme of water Irrigation Department, farmers have fixed 350 water pumps (of 2, 5 and 7HP) to these four main rivers.
“Farmers are not renewing their NOCs for water pumps annually. The renewal fees per hectare is Rs60,” says an official of Irrigation Department Valpoi. The Bandharas are blocked in November and the plates removed in May but locals have expressed concern over failure by authorities to remove the twigs and branches blocking many Bandharas in the rainy season.
With the increase in farmers, many of them have dug bore well which causes the water level to go down resulting in shortage, say sources.
“We are not getting enough water for our crops especially in summer season. I am growing crops like areca nut, banana, coconut, etc. We are taking loans from banks and investing in agriculture sector. But we are not getting sufficient water for our crops which causes us big loss,” says farmer Sufiyan Shaikh.
Rama Gaonkar a farmer says that, Water Resources Department is not providing water to farmers in proper way. The Bandharas built on the main rivers of Sattari are in bad condition; the WRD officials are not repairing them. We have told the WRD officials about the water shortage problem especially in summer season. But no one is taking any action.”
Another farmer, Shripad Sawant says, “In summer season, we need the water more, but there is shortage of water in these months. I am growing vegetables like red vegetables, chillies, cucumber, etc. The government is telling us to focus more on agriculture, if there is no water, how will we work?”
Altab Shaikh says that his orchid and tropical farm in Velus village suffer due to water shortage.
“We are requesting the Water Resources Minister to visit Sattari Taluka and see the problem faced by farmers,” says Sameer Govekar, a farmer.
“We have already submitted the file of repairing Bandaras and replacing the iron plates to the government,” says Junior engineer Shah, Water Irrigation Department Valpoi.
