Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Release of water for Jayakwadi dam from upstream areas has finally begun after almost three-and-a-half weeks.The discharged water is expected to reach its destination post-Sunday midnight. Water rights activists have demanded an increase in the speed of water release as well as a curb on illegal lifting as water makes its way to Nathsagar, the Jayakwadi dam reservoir.According to the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC), discharge of water at the speed of 100 cusecs and 192 cusecs was taking place from Nilwande dam and Darna dam, respectively, since 11 pm on Friday. Nilwande dam is part of Pravara group of dams, which are expected to release a maximum of 3.36 TMC water towards the Jayakwadi dam of the allotted quantum of 8.6 TMC. Darna Dam is a part of the Darna group of dams, which are slated to release 2.64 TMC water for Marathwada.The Mula group of dams and Gangapur group of dams are scheduled to release 2.1 TMC and 0.5 TMC water, respectively, but no discharge of water was initiated till Saturday evening.Water rights activist Narhari Shivpure said all groups of dams must simultaneously release water at an increased speed to ensure the effective release of discharge water up to Jayakwadi dam. GMIDC executive engineer P B Jadhav said, The local authorities have been told to ensure obstacle-free release of water towards Jayakwadi dam. Measures are expected to be in place to avoid illegal lifting of water on its way to Jayakwadi dam, he said. We also published the following articles recentlyVikhe Patil sugar mill objects to water for Jayakwadi damThe management of the Padmashree Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil cooperative sugar factory has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court objecting to the release of water from dams in the district to the Jayakwadi dam. They challenge the order of the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation to release 8.6 TMC of water. The factory argues that the order was issued without the report from the committee studying the Mendhegiri Committees recommendations. The factory also raises concerns about the low water table in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts and the impact on drinking water and agriculture. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on November 21. Additionally, no discharge has occurred yet due to political pressure, and there is a PIL filed with the Bombay High Court.SC to hear Jayakwadi water release case after HC verdictThe Supreme Court heard the special leave petition on the release of water from upstream dams to Jayakwadi reservoir. The SC did not issue a stay, awaiting the Bombay HCs decision on the issue. Nashik MLA and others filed a petition against the water release order in the HC. GMIDC officials stated that there is no legal hurdle to release the water and it will be initiated with the state governments approval. Water rights activists and political leaders demand the water release. Jayakwadi dam will release water to the Majalgaon irrigation project after receiving 8.6 TMC water from upstream. Protests were held in Nashik by farmers demanding that water should not be released from Nashik.Marathwada raises pitch for water releasePoliticians, farmers, and water rights activists protest the delay in releasing water from upstream areas in Nashik to the Jayakwadi dam. Jointly, they block the road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and close one lane of Jalna Road. Political leaders participate in the sit-in agitation, demanding immediate water release. The government is accused of suppressing the demand for water and using police force to end the peaceful protest. The decision on water release is pending a hearing in the apex court.

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