Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan had to stop water release from Gangapur dam to Jayakwadi dam at around 11.30 PM last night following protests by various parties.
As per High Court's directives, district Collector Dipendrasinh Kushwah had issued orders to release 1.36 TMC water from Gangapur dam.
On getting information about the water release, Shiv Sena MLA from Niphad Anil Kadam, Mayor Ashok Murtdak, NCP district chief Ravindra Pagar, local Congress leader Sharad Aher and some corporators along with farmers entered the dam premises and staged a 'thiyya' (squatting) protest.
After the water release was stopped, the members of various parties withdrew their protest, Additional Superintendent of Police (rural) Pravin Munde said, adding that security of the dam has been beefed up as a precautionary measure.
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However, the irrigation department released 543 cusecs of water from the dam to Marathwada for drinking purposes only this noon amid tight security, Nashik taluka police station in-charge R M Upase said.
No agitation was held at the dam site today as rural police stepped up its security, he said.
The Collector later told reporters that as per directives of the High Court and state government, he has issued orders to release water from Gangapur to Jayakwadi dam only for drinking purpose.
Gangapur dam, the main source of drinking water for Nashik city, having capacity of 5,630 mcft, is filled upto only 69 per cent due to inadequate rainfall this monsoon.
Therefore, many political leaders and farmers are strongly against the release of its water to Marathwada region, which is facing drought this year.