In a historic development for the Karauli district of Rajasthan, the gates of the Panchna Dam were finally opened after a long hiatus of 20 years. The process of water release commenced around 12 PM on Friday, marking a significant moment for the local agricultural community that has been waiting for two decades. The ceremony was led by Water Resources Minister Suresh Rawat and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, who performed a traditional puja of the dam gates before officially initiating the water discharge by pressing a button.
Inauguration of Irrigation and Lift Projects
The opening of the dam gates isn't just a symbolic gesture but a major step towards revitalizing the irrigation infrastructure of the region, while water was simultaneously released into the Gambhir River, the canals of the command area, and the Gudla-Panchna lift project. Alongside the water release, the ministers laid the foundation stone for the renovation of the Gudla-Panchna lift project, which is estimated to cost 61 crore rupees. Also, the foundation for two new lift irrigation projects based on the PDN system was also laid during the event held at the Deonarayan temple premises in Pahadi village. This comprehensive plan is expected to provide irrigation benefits to farmers across 21 revenue villages, potentially transforming the economic landscape of the area.
Farmers Protest and Road Blockade in Gangapur City
While the release of water brought joy to many, it also triggered a wave of resentment among farmers in the Sawai Madhopur district, specifically in Gangapur City. Thousands of farmers and local youth gathered in Kusaein village, located in the command area, to express their dissatisfaction. The protesters organized a 'Chakka Jam' (road blockade) on the Gangapur City-Hindon route, causing significant disruption to traffic and putting the local administration on high alert. The primary grievance of the farmers is the alleged disparity in the opening of the dam gates. They claimed that while three gates were opened for the river, the gate designated for the command area canals was opened Importantly less, leading to doubts about whether the water would actually reach their fields.
Technical Details of the Water Release
According to official reports, three gates of the Panchna Dam were opened to a height of 1 foot each to allow water into the Gambhir River. For the command area, the canal gates were opened using keys to channel irrigation water toward the designated fields. On top of that, the pump house of the old Gudla-Panchna lift project was also put into operation to ensure the flow of water. Despite these technical measures, the farmers remain skeptical, demanding a more equitable distribution of water to ensure that the command area receives its fair share, while the large gathering of protesters in Kusaein village highlights the deep-seated concerns regarding water management and the long-standing expectations of the farming community in this region.