Banaskantha: Narmada water has reached the Sipu Dam in Dantiwada taluka through the Tharad-Sipu pipeline project, bringing cheer to local farmers.

Farmers in Dantiwada, near the Rajasthan border, have long faced a severe irrigation crisis. With groundwater levels dropping to 1,200 feet, many rely on borewells powered by over 60-horsepower electric motors, resulting in high electricity bills and mounting debts. Some even fear migration if the situation worsens.

Though the Dantiwada Dam on the Banas River exists, most of its water flows to Patan district, leaving Dantiwada farmers deprived. Locals have repeatedly demanded prioritizing the filling of Sipu Dam with Narmada water, and the government has now acted on this request. With the Rabi crop season at its peak, water scarcity had become a serious concern for farmers.

Authorities now plan to distribute Narmada water from Sipu Dam to surrounding villages via the Sipu link canal, ensuring irrigation reaches farmers’ fields. The arrival of this water is also expected to raise groundwater levels in the surrounding areas, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture. DeshGujarat