Ahmedabad, 13 June 2012

As cities in Saurashtra and Kutch including Rajkot and Bhuj facing acute shortage of drinking water, the Surendranagar district administration on Tuesday issued a notification and declared 107-km-long Maliya branch of Narmada canal a prohibited zone.

As per the notification issued by Additional district magistrate Shri MB Patel, the area on both sides of the branch canal in Lakhtar, Patdi, Dhrangandhra and Halvad talukas has been declared a prohibited zone.

Water lifting through pipe, pump and other means has been strictly banned, and SRP jawans are deployed for vigil.

The notification affects following villages: Lilapur, Ingrodi, Karela, Gedia, Sedla, Moti Malvan, Pipli, Akhiana, Ghamath, Vasadava, Bharada, Malvan, Sajjanpur, Jesda, Verendragadh, Satapar, Narali, Jashmatpar, Kankavati, Vaghgadh, Ranmalpur, Aaijar, Dhanad, Malniyad, Isanpur, Nava Amrapar, Ingorada, Mayapar, Ajitgadh, Khod-Miyani, Tikar and Nava Ghatila.

“Because of farmers and others drawing water illegally from Maliya canal passing through Surendranagar district, drinking water supply to Saurashtra-Kutch has been hit. That is why the canal area has been declared a prohibited zone,” said a notification.

As per the notification, anyone flouting the orders will be liable to be punished with a month’s imprisonment or fine under the Bmobay Police Act 133 and IPC section 188.