This story is from May 18, 2016

Bapat moots plans to desilt ponds in Indapur, Daund

Girish Bapat on Monday told the local authorities and the irrigation department to prepare a comprehensive plan for desilting small ponds in the two talukas to increase their storage capacity.
Bapat moots plans to desilt ponds in Indapur, Daund
Pune: Days after permitting 'unexpected' release of 1 TMC extra water for Indapur and Daund, district guardian minister Girish Bapat on Monday told the local authorities and the irrigation department to prepare a comprehensive plan for desilting small ponds in the two talukas to increase their storage capacity.
The water released from Khadakwasla dam has reached the ponds in Indapur and Daund.
Bapat along with local MLAs held a 'Jal Pujan' (worshipping the water storage) programme at the Tarangwadi pond in Indapur on Monday after it received the water. The pond supplies water to 16 villages around Indapur.
Bapat's decision of releasing water was strongly opposed by city politicos and civic activists, who were worried about depleting water levels in Khadakwasla, Varasgaon, Panshet and Temghar dams.
While addressing a function at Indapur, Bapat said that release of water has resolved the crucial problem of water supply to 16 villages in Indapur.
He, however, pointed out that the storage capacity of the tanks has dropped because of silt. The local authorities along with the irrigation department should implement a programme of desilting to increase the capacity, said Bapat.
The guardian minister assured funds through the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) for removing the silt. He also told authorities to prepare plans for desilting of ponds located in Daund and Varawad areas that are supplying water to nearby villages. "Desilting of ponds will help increase their storage capacity. Besides government agencies, citizens and civic organizations could play a vital role in the process," he said.

The minister also visited the tanks located along the canal in Daund area and discussed the desilting plan with local authorities.
The irrigation department has released 1 TMC water for Indapur and Daund. Various measures have been taken up to restrict water theft and wastage of released water.
Despite all these measures, plenty of water was wasted last week when the canal was opened near Indapur.
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