Main pipeline work begins on Sulwade-Jamphal scheme to bring Tapi water to 54 villages in Shindkheda

Dhule: Work on connecting the main pipeline of Jamphal dam's piped distribution network (PDN), part of the Sulwade-Jamphal-Kanoli lift irrigation scheme, began on Sunday, October 11. The scheme will bring assured irrigation to 26,907 hectares in 54 villages of drought-prone Shindkheda taluka, and the aim is to start supplying water in phases from June 2027, guardian minister Jaykumar Rawal said.

Although the Tapi flows all year, many villages in Shindkheda taluka have remained dependent on rain, which is why the project was pursued for permanent irrigation, Rawal said. Works worth ₹1,058 crore are under way on the PDN; of about 766 km of pipeline, 549 km of pipe has been supplied and 325 km laid. Overall progress stands at 42.41%.

Of five railway and three national highway crossings, the railway crossings at Dabli, Melane and Malich are complete and the one at Hol is in its final stage. About 80% of the main Sulwade-Jamphal project is done, and the main pipeline connection was started so that farmers get water early without waiting for the whole project, he said.

The scheme will make about 1 TMC (28.32 million cubic metres) of water available. The plan is to irrigate about 6,000 hectares first and then 13,000 to 14,000 hectares. The command area has been divided into six zones, and 89 water users' associations are being set up to manage the water. Former Union minister of state Dr Subhash Bhamre attended.

Sources: Loksatta; Esakal