Farmers in Kota, Bundi, and Baran have received significant relief as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s efforts have led to addressing the irrigation water shortage for the ongoing Kharif season. Following discussions between Om Birla and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, it was decided to release an extra 3,000 cusecs of water into the canal system, with 2,000 cusecs from Gandhi Sagar Dam and 1,000 cusecs from Rana Pratap Sagar Dam.
Currently, about 2,000 cusecs of water are being supplied through the canals. With the additional release, the total flow will rise to 5,000 cusecs, providing crucial irrigation support to farmers in the region. This marks the second time in ten days that the Madhya Pradesh Government, with Birla’s intervention, has agreed to release more irrigation water from Gandhi Sagar Dam for farmers in the Kota-Bundi region.
Due to a weak monsoon this year, the water level in Rana Pratap Sagar Dam has been below normal, impacting the availability of canal water for Kharif crops. The recent decision is anticipated to ensure sufficient irrigation during the critical crop season. Additionally, an extra 1,000 cusecs of water was released from Rana Pratap Sagar Dam as an immediate measure on Monday.
Officials have suggested that if rainfall improves and reservoir levels increase in the upcoming days, more water may be released into the canal system. Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Madhya Pradesh, assured on Monday that an additional 2,000 cusecs from the Gandhi Sagar Dam would be promptly released.
On July 10, a group of farmers met Birla to express concerns about the canal water shortage affecting Kharif cultivation. Birla promptly raised the issue with relevant officials and the Madhya Pradesh Government, urging the release of additional water from Gandhi Sagar Dam. Following his request, 1,800 cusecs of extra water were released at that time. With the recent decision to release another 3,000 cusecs, farmers in Kota, Bundi, and Baran are set to receive substantial relief during the ongoing Kharif season.
