RAJKOT: Just when winter chill begins to set in, Saurashtra’s two major cities — Rajkot and Jamnagar — will be crying for water as early as November. At least this is what the present condition of water resources suggests.With Narmada water expected to be the only saviour, municipal corporations of both cities have started planning to avert any major crisis in winter. Usually, the demand for Narmada water begins around March, but this time, due to deficient rainfall and fast-depleting conventional sources, both cities will require water of ‘Gujarat’s Life Line’ by next month.Ranjit Sagar Dam, the biggest source of drinking water to Jamnagar, has stock that can last only for 30 days while water in Nyari Dam in Rajkot will last only till DecemberJamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) has constructed a 51 km water pipeline between Padadhari and Dhrol to get Narmada water under Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation (SAUNI) from Aji-3 dam. It has spent Rs 65 crore for this.However, it is going to be piquant situation for the state government because along with the cities, small towns in Saurashtra are also demanding Narmda water for drinking purpose. Besides, farmers too have no other option other than Narmada to save their Rabi crop that could slightly compensate the losses for the failed kharif season.Jamnagar’s Ranjit Sagar Dam, one of the major conventional water source is on the verge on drying up. JMC has put forward a demand to get 60 million litres water per day (MLD) beginning November, out of its total requirement of 110 MLD from Narmada. From March, the civic body will require total 110 MLD water from Narmada. JMC will get 30 MLD from conventional Narmada pipeline and an equal quantity from Aji-3 till February, while from March 2019, it will require 70 MLD under SAUNI scheme when two other dams - Und and Sasoi - dry up.JMC commissioner R B Barad said, “If we get the quantity of water as per the plan, we won’t face any problem till the next monsoon.” JMC supplies water every alternate day for 20 minutes.In Rajkot, chief minister Vijay Rupani’s hometown, the civic body is trying to supply water on daily basis for 20 minutes. RMC has taken 250 MCFT water in the last 60 days under SAUNI from Aji-1 dam. Out of its total requirement of 270 MLD, civic body gets 220 MLD from Narmada that includes 125 MLD under SAUNI scheme. The demand is expected shoot up by the end of February 2019 when Nyari dam dries up.RMC commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani said, “We are keeping a close vigil to curb water thefts in the city besides repairing the pumping leakage and making all efforts to save water. We have adopted water rationalization so that the stock lasts till next monsoon.”

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