A breakthrough has been reached in the long-standing Pachna Dam water-sharing conflict, which had persisted for nearly 20 years. Following a high-level meeting in Jaipur directed by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials engaged in extensive discussions with representatives from both sides. The resolution marks a consensus between the parties, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the state government for facilitating the dialogue and bringing closure to the issue.
The dispute over Pachna Dam, involving 74 villages in Karauli district, had led to demands from farmers in 35 villages for the release of irrigation water through the canal network. They argued that the prolonged water stoppage had severely impacted agriculture, causing significant financial losses. Conversely, residents of 39 villages within the dam’s submergence zone opposed the release, fearing a reduction in water availability in their region and exacerbation of local scarcity. The unresolved issue had sparked protests, political interventions, and legal proceedings over the years.
Recent dissatisfaction expressed by the Rajasthan High Court regarding the non-compliance with earlier directives prompted the government to ensure adherence. Despite initial setbacks during a meeting at Jaipur’s Shiksha Sankul, ongoing negotiations overseen by the three ministers eventually led to a mutual agreement. This accord is seen as a crucial advancement in resolving a critical water dispute in eastern Rajasthan and reinstating irrigation systems in the affected command area.
