Gandhinagar, June 9 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed the early release of irrigation water from the Narmada canal network, advancing the schedule to support farmers preparing for the ongoing agricultural season across Gujarat’s Narmada command area.

The state government on Tuesday said that water will be released through the Narmada project canals for irrigation from June 11, after Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly from the command area sought an earlier supply for farmers.

According to the government, the decision was taken after a review of water availability in the Narmada system and the irrigation requirements of crops in the region.

CM Patel convened a high-level meeting of senior officials associated with the Narmada project to assess the available water stock and consider the demand for irrigation.

The Chief Minister was informed during the meeting about the status of water reserves in the Narmada scheme and the projected requirements of farmers in areas served by the canal network.

Following the review, Patel instructed officials to begin releasing water from June 11, ahead of the originally planned schedule.

“The decision has been taken keeping in view the water requirements for farmers’ crops,” the state government said in a statement, adding that the Chief Minister had responded positively to requests made by elected representatives from the Narmada command area.

The Narmada canal network is a key source of irrigation for large parts of Gujarat and plays a significant role in supporting agricultural activity, particularly during the kharif season.

Timely availability of water is crucial for sowing and crop planning in several districts dependent on canal irrigation.

The meeting chaired by CM Patel, was attended by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Chairman Mukesh Puri; Principal Secretary for Water Supply, Shahmina Hussain; Additional Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr. Vikrant Pandey; Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar; Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Director (Command Area) Rabadiya, the Director (Canal); and Water Supply Board Member Secretary Bhagdev.

The release of water from Thursday is expected to benefit farmers across the Narmada command region as agricultural preparations gather pace ahead of the monsoon cultivation cycle.

–IANS

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