The Gujarat government will take all necessary steps to ensure drinking and irrigation water availability, state government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani said in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, as questions were raised about declaring scarcity in parts of the state that experienced deficient rainfall.
Vaghani said the government had provided additional water in the recent past and would continue taking steps to make water available for drinking and agriculture. His statement came in response to a question on whether the state would formally declare scarcity in affected areas.
“The govt has provided additional water in the recent past and will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that water is made available for drinking and agriculture,” Vaghani said.
The government is also exploring water sources other than the Narmada network to meet demand, according to Vaghani. The statement did not specify which alternative sources were being examined, the locations that could be covered or the volume of water expected from them.
The reference to non-Narmada sources places the immediate water availability issue within Gujarat’s broader dependence on regional water networks. The Narmada system is a key part of the state’s water distribution arrangements, but the government’s statement indicates that officials are assessing additional options to address requirements for both households and farms.
The announcement has implications for urban settlements as well as rural areas. Drinking water supply is a public service responsibility, while irrigation availability affects agricultural operations and the demand placed on shared water systems. However, the government has not announced a specific scarcity declaration, emergency supply schedule or area-wise water allocation in the statement reported from Gandhinagar.
Vaghani also said the agriculture department was preparing a proposal to educate farmers about adopting less water-intensive crops. The proposal would link agricultural choices with water availability, although the government has not disclosed which crops would be promoted, when the programme would begin or how it would be implemented.
The statement therefore outlines two immediate directions: securing additional water for drinking and agriculture, and encouraging farming practices that require less water. Further details on alternative sources, affected areas, supply measures and the proposed crop advisory are expected to determine how the government’s assurance is translated into action.
