Water crisis deepens in Durg (Photo Source- Patrika)

Durg: Twenty-six years after the formation of the state, the geography of Durg district may have changed, but its water problem remains the same. Even after Bemetara and Balod became separate districts, Durg's population has reached about 22 lakh.

Demand for drinking water has risen with it, but no concrete efforts could be made to increase water storage capacity. As a result, the district's drinking water and irrigation needs still depend on the Tandula and Kharkhara reservoirs in neighbouring Balod district.

Water management a major challenge

Durg district needs 400 to 440 million litres per day (MLD) of water for urban household use. This demand is estimated to rise to 638 MLD in the next 10 years.

On the other hand, silt has built up in the older reservoirs, and their storage capacity has fallen by about 10 per cent. The district's only reservoir, Gondli, has limited capacity and also depends on rain and water from Tandula. Against the growing needs of the future, the present system of water management is becoming a major challenge.

Permanent solution still awaited

The two projects, the Mahanadi-Tandula link and the Kharkhara-Ruda pipeline, have a total proposed cost of about Rs 2,775 crore. The timelines for starting and completing work on them are not clear.

A permanent solution to the district's growing water needs is therefore still awaited.

Borewell depth goes from 60 feet to 300 feet

The effect of not getting enough water from reservoirs and canals is also visible on groundwater levels. In many areas of Dhamdha and Patan, water was earlier found at 40 to 60 feet. In summer, borewells now have to be drilled to 250 to 300 feet.

Farmers face a shortage of water.

Mahanadi-Tandula Link Project

Under this project, costing about Rs 1,074.58 crore, the plan is to bring Mahanadi water to the Tandula reservoir through a lift system. The aim is to meet the drinking water needs of three districts and develop irrigation facilities over more than 20,000 hectares.

Kharkhara-Ruda Pipeline Project

The proposed scheme, costing about Rs 1,700 crore, plans to bring water through a pipeline from the Kharkhara reservoir to the Ruda anicut on the Shivnath river in Durg. Besides meeting the drinking water needs of Durg and Bhilai, it is likely to provide irrigation facilities over more than 17,000 acres.

According to Ashutosh Saraswat, executive engineer, Water Resources Department, both important projects are proposed and awaiting approval. Their completion will help improve drinking water supply and increase the irrigated area.