Ahmedabad: The Narmada canal network, Gujarat’s water lifeline stretching 75,000km, delivers precious water to the state’s remotest regions. However, years of unaddressed leakage from the canal network has left a 65km water trail across the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), raising concerns about its fragile ecosystem.
This unintended waterway — roughly 500 metres wide and one foot deep — cuts through multiple areas, including Santalpur, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Butavada, Chandragadh, Mangalpur, Kidi, Bajana and Koddha Rann, according to the findings presented to the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC).
In response to this situation, GSHRC chairman Justice K J Thaker involved Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) chairman Mukesh Puri and initiated remedial actions over the past eight months, including calling for plans for canal repair, check dam construction, and water diversion into artificial lakes. A coordination committee meeting will be held on April 24 at the SSNNL office in Gandhinagar, said an official.
“During a hearing held on May 28 last year, the GSHRC had directed the formation of a committee to investigate the issue for the first time and find viable solutions. A pilot drone survey has also been conducted,” said a senior irrigation department official.
“This special committee comprises SSNNL superintending engineer, Saurashtra branch canal (Limdi); officials from the irrigation, agriculture, forest and the wildlife departments; district representatives from Surendranagar, Mehsana, Patan, and Morbi, along with environmental activist Rohit Prajapati; and Neha Sarwate, an environmental planner from the MS University, Baroda.
A committee member and an applicant in the issue Harinesh Pandya, the president of Agariya Hitrakshak Manch, said, “Farmers in peripheral blocks — Patadi and Dhrangadhra — require Narmada water by Dec. There is a need for measured distribution to prevent excess water reaching LRK during non-monsoon periods.”
“In a 2014 incident, about 1.54 lakh cubic metres of water surged into LRK within nine hours from a Maliya branch canal breach near the drainage siphon at 31.4km,” he added.
Another committee member emphasised, “A systemic approach of monitoring and controlling the release of waters at source is required to reduce wastage at SSNNL canal network endpoints at LRK.”
He stressed the need for a specialised joint task force comprising departmental representatives and subject experts.
Reports and complaints submitted before the GHRC since Dec 2023 and Dec 2024 document canal water infiltrating the LRK at multiple sites, including Kidi village in Halvad taluka, through ‘baknalios’ at Prakashnagar and Ishanpur, Kharaghoda Rann near old Degam, behind Vachhada Dada Bet, and in Zinzuvada Rann. “Seepage from Goraiya and Viramgam branch canals and their sub-canal network further contributes to waterlogging,” said an expert.
Remedial measures now underway include repairing existing check dams on rivers and streams like the Umai, Chandrabhaga, Falku, and Kankavati connected to the Dhrangadhra branch canal.
A senior SSNNL official noted, “The process has been directed by the GHRC. We are jointly trying to look into the genesis of the canal leak in the LRK and an attempt is being made to make improvements.”
The committee is utilising BISAG-N satellite imagery from 2014-2024 to analyse water flow patterns and identify affected areas. “Repair works on existing check dams have been initiated, and plans for new check dams and village ponds are underway,” added the SSNNL official.
This unintended waterway — roughly 500 metres wide and one foot deep — cuts through multiple areas, including Santalpur, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Butavada, Chandragadh, Mangalpur, Kidi, Bajana and Koddha Rann, according to the findings presented to the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC).
In response to this situation, GSHRC chairman Justice K J Thaker involved Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) chairman Mukesh Puri and initiated remedial actions over the past eight months, including calling for plans for canal repair, check dam construction, and water diversion into artificial lakes. A coordination committee meeting will be held on April 24 at the SSNNL office in Gandhinagar, said an official.
“During a hearing held on May 28 last year, the GSHRC had directed the formation of a committee to investigate the issue for the first time and find viable solutions. A pilot drone survey has also been conducted,” said a senior irrigation department official.
“This special committee comprises SSNNL superintending engineer, Saurashtra branch canal (Limdi); officials from the irrigation, agriculture, forest and the wildlife departments; district representatives from Surendranagar, Mehsana, Patan, and Morbi, along with environmental activist Rohit Prajapati; and Neha Sarwate, an environmental planner from the MS University, Baroda.
A committee member and an applicant in the issue Harinesh Pandya, the president of Agariya Hitrakshak Manch, said, “Farmers in peripheral blocks — Patadi and Dhrangadhra — require Narmada water by Dec. There is a need for measured distribution to prevent excess water reaching LRK during non-monsoon periods.”
“In a 2014 incident, about 1.54 lakh cubic metres of water surged into LRK within nine hours from a Maliya branch canal breach near the drainage siphon at 31.4km,” he added.
Another committee member emphasised, “A systemic approach of monitoring and controlling the release of waters at source is required to reduce wastage at SSNNL canal network endpoints at LRK.”
He stressed the need for a specialised joint task force comprising departmental representatives and subject experts.
Reports and complaints submitted before the GHRC since Dec 2023 and Dec 2024 document canal water infiltrating the LRK at multiple sites, including Kidi village in Halvad taluka, through ‘baknalios’ at Prakashnagar and Ishanpur, Kharaghoda Rann near old Degam, behind Vachhada Dada Bet, and in Zinzuvada Rann. “Seepage from Goraiya and Viramgam branch canals and their sub-canal network further contributes to waterlogging,” said an expert.
Remedial measures now underway include repairing existing check dams on rivers and streams like the Umai, Chandrabhaga, Falku, and Kankavati connected to the Dhrangadhra branch canal.
A senior SSNNL official noted, “The process has been directed by the GHRC. We are jointly trying to look into the genesis of the canal leak in the LRK and an attempt is being made to make improvements.”
The committee is utilising BISAG-N satellite imagery from 2014-2024 to analyse water flow patterns and identify affected areas. “Repair works on existing check dams have been initiated, and plans for new check dams and village ponds are underway,” added the SSNNL official.