Maha govt replies to PILs opposing water diversion

Maharashtra government today assured the Bombay High Court that except for drinking purpose it would not release water from Darna and Gangapur dams in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts into Godavari river.
The state government also assured that for irrigation purpose, water would be released through canals and not through river bed.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah was hearing a bunch of PILs challenging diversion of water from Nashik and Ahmednagar to Aurangabad.
The PILs protested the government's decision to release water from these dams into Godavari river, which flows into Zayakwadi dam in Aurangabad district.
The PILs, filed by Karbhari Agawan and others, all residents of Nashik and Ahmednagar, contended that the water from dams in their districts was released into Godavari river so that it could reach another dam in Aurangabad district which fell in Marathwada region.

It was contended that due to this, there would be less water available to the residents of Nashik and Ahmednagar and hence it should not be allowed to be diverted to other region.
The PILs further contended that instead of government taking a decision on flow of water in the dams, the matter should be referred to Water Resources Development Authority.
The matter has been posted for hearing on November 25.