In Kapadvanj, farmers are facing a serious issue due to a faulty check dam built on the Varasi River. The dam, constructed under the Narmada Water Resources, is said to have severe technical flaws. It is located near Navagam Road. The dam was approved with a budget of 2,39,97,778 rupees. However, the contractor, Kanubhai J. Patel from Mehsana, submitted a bid 31.34% lower than expected, leading to the approval of a tender worth 1,64,76,874 rupees. This has raised concerns among local farmers and political leaders.
According to Pareshbhai Bhikhabhai Patel, the president of the BJP Kisan Morcha, the dam has been constructed 2-3 feet below the ground level. This means that there is no possibility of water being collected in the dam. The tender documents specified that the dam should have been approximately 8 to 10 feet high. Due to these construction issues, the local farmers fear they might face a severe water shortage in the future.
Local officials and the contractor are being accused of corruption, resulting in a waste of government funds. Farmers from nearly 20 nearby villages rely on the Varasi River for their crops. If this problem is not resolved, they may struggle with water scarcity during crucial growing seasons.
Pareshbhai Patel has formally requested an inquiry into the matter and legal action against the responsible officials and contractor. His application is currently ‘Under Process’ with the Chief Engineer of the State Water Resources Department, M.D. Patel.
The farmers in the area are extremely upset. They are considering organizing themselves to take official action against the authorities. They demand the establishment of special monitoring committees at the village level to prevent such corruption in the future. They also call for an impartial and transparent investigation of all government projects.
The situation has been worsening over the years. In Nadiad, there have been concerns about water scarcity affecting agricultural production during the summer. Villagers have been requesting the construction of check dams for five years, but progress has been slow. The crops of many farmers depend on the river’s water, which dries up during the summer and winter months. This directly impacts their livelihoods and causes significant distress in the community.
Local leaders have come together to push for the dam’s construction, but many feel that government officials have been unresponsive to their needs. Farmers often face losses during the summer season due to a lack of water, leading to widespread despair. As the situation continues to unfold, the farmers’ plight serves as an important reminder of the need for accountability and proper management of water resources in Gujarat.
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