Rajkot: The commercial capital of Saurashtra is staring at a water crisis in peak monsoon due to delayed rain.The water in Aji and Nyari dams, the main sources of drinking water for citizens, has water that can’t last only up to July 31. The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has requested the government to fill the Aji dam with the Narmada water under Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI ) scheme and provide additional 50 million litre per day) in Nyari dam to meet requirement of the city.Rajkot city requires 250 MLD water out of which civic body purchase 100 MLD Narmada water at Rs six per 1,000 kilo litres. The rest 140 MLD water comes from conventional sources like Aji and Nyari dams. However, the water level has drastically decreased in dams due to delayed rainfall.RMC also held a review meeting to discuss the situation. Municipal commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani said, “We have sent a requisition to the state government to provide nearly 650 million cubic feet (MCFT) water under SAUNI scheme in Aji like last year to fill the river. If government doesn’t provide water under SAUNI, we will ask for additional 120 MLD water in Aji dan.”The civic body also demanded 40 MLD additional water in Nyari from Khambhal pumping station of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. RMC has asked the state government that if it’s not possible to fill the Aji under SAUNI scheme, the civic body will require additional 160 MLD Narmada water in Aji and Nyari dams.Currently, the city is already facing water crisis as groundwater levels have depleted drastically. Chief minister Vijay Rupani’s constituency and area of CM’s residence is also not exception to this situation.Mansukh Kalaria, Congress councillor of ward number 10 where CM’s bungalow is situated, said “We get 20 minutes water per day but with a very less force. Many high-rise buildings in the area are dependent on groundwater. In some societies, they have to purchase water through tankers.”

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