Solapur plans to keep drinking water safe until August 31, 2027; guardian minister Jaykumar Gore reviews stocks

Solapur: Guardian minister Jaykumar Gore held a meeting on water planning after reviewing the stocks in Ujani dam, the district's medium and minor projects and other sources. In line with state government directions, the plan aims to keep enough water in reserve for drinking until August 31, 2027.

Groundwater levels in the district are falling steadily and rivers and streams are drying up. Against that backdrop, the meeting reviewed the stock in each dam and reservoir, dam by dam and by use, and stressed using the available water sparingly to cope with the shortage ahead.

An order of priority has been set: drinking water for people first, then drinking water for livestock, then water for fodder, with other uses planned according to what remains. The meeting asked all agencies to work together to meet the needs of people and livestock.

With drinking water getting priority from Ujani, there are fears that sugarcane and other cash crops in Solapur, Pune and Ahilyanagar districts that depend on the dam will suffer. Kharif crops in these districts have already been badly hit by the poor rain.

Sources: Hindusthan Samachar; Pudhari