Nashik/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Water Resources Department (WRD) in Nashik has received orders from the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) to release water for the Jayakwadi dam.Technical preparations are being carried out by the WRD for releasing water as per the GMIDC orders. We have completed our job to ensure there is no law and order situation or illegal lifting of water, collector of Nashik Jalaj Sharma said.The collector, who convened the emergency meeting of the WRD officials in the evening, said, After receiving the order we held an immediate meeting to discuss the issue.It is likely that the water may be released from Darna dam within 24 hours, while the release from Gangapur dam is likely to take some time.He added, Police bandobast will be maintained to ensure nobody enters the river to protest or obstruct the flow of water. Besides, three-phase power supply to the electric motors in agricultural areas will also be disconnected till release of water is completed.The GMIDC on October 30 had issued an order to release of 8.6 TMC of water from dams in Nashik and Ahmednagar.GMIDC superintendent apologisesEarlier, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, superintendent of GMIDC SK Sabbinwar withdrew his letter in which he had blamed the law and order situation arising due to the agitation related to Maratha reservation as the reason for stalling the release of water to Jayakwadi dam.Sabbinwar had been facing serious backlash for his letter due to which he issued a written apology and expressed regret on behalf of his department.In his letter written to the Sakal Maratha Samaj and Chava Shramik Sanghatna, Sabbinwar informed that a decision to immediately release the water for Jayakwadi has been taken. Sabbinwar could not be reached for his comments on the issue despite repeated attempts.In the letter sent to the additional chief secretary of the water resource department (WRD) on Wednesday, Sabbinwar had said: Due to the ongoing Maratha reservation movement and the law-and-order situation resulting from it, the state government has asked to postpone the release of water till further orders. Hence, the process to release water should be stopped.We also published the following articles recentlyVikhe Patil sugar mill objects to water for Jayakwadi damThe management of 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 Ahmednagar to Jayakwadi dam. They have also filed a PIL in the Supreme Court in 2018 and political leaders from Nashik have filed a PIL with the Bombay High Court. The petition challenges the release of 8.6 TMC of water for the Jayakwadi dam and seeks guidelines for water release and revision of the water sharing system. The matter will be heard in the Supreme Court on November 21.SC to hear Jayakwadi water release case after HC verdictThe Supreme Court heard the special leave petition regarding the water release order from upstream dams to the Jayakwadi reservoir. The SC did not issue a stay and deferred the decision to the Bombay HC, which is also hearing a similar case. Meanwhile, water rights activists and political leaders are urging the state government to release water during the upcoming cabinet meeting. The GMIDC officials confirmed that there are no legal hurdles for water release. Once the state government gives a formal nod, the discharge will begin and benefit the Majalgaon major irrigation project in Beed.Marathwada raises pitch for water releasePoliticians, farmers, and water rights activists protest against the delay in releasing water from Nashik and Ahmednagar to Jayakwadi dam in Marathwada. Political leaders, farmers, and activists block the road near GMIDC office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. NCP MLA Rajesh Tope, Congress MLA Kailas Gorantyal, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat, and former Sena minister Arjun Khotkar stage a sit-in agitation. Water rights activist Narhari Shivpure accuses the government of suppressing the demand. Sugar mills from Ahmednagar oppose the water release in court.

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