NASHIK: The water resources department has removed 1,163 illegal siphons (pipes) from the Palkhed irrigation canal which were used by a section of farmers to draw water from clandestinely.This will help the department provide 700 million cubic feet (mcft) drinking water for Yeola and Manmad councils and 38-village regional water supply scheme from Friday for the next 10 days.The department is facing a challenge to release water, fearing that farmers in the way would draw water for their farms.The Palkhed irrigation canal is designed for eight-month cropping pattern, which does not include orchards of grapes and others. Still, the farmers have planted the same and are demanding water throughout the year."There is tremendous pressure from farmers to allow them siphon off water from the canals. Last year, due to drought, fewer farmers had crops in their farms and the number of orchards was high. This year since there was good monsoon, the farmers have planted crops and the demand for water is more," a senior official from the WRD said."Since electricity has been shut down by teh Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited during rotation of water as a normal practice, the farmers use siphons that are plugged through walls and the beds of the canals during non-operational time of the canal. So when water is released, it enters the siphons and gushes to the farms by gravity," the official said.The revenue department has urged the farmers to stay away from stealing water and police has been ordered to keep strict vigil on the water supply - especially during the night.

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