Farmers from Pune’s Indapur and Solapur’s Malshiras talukas held a road blockade on the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Route at the Sarati bypass on Friday, demanding that water be released into the Nira River from the Veer-Bhatghar dam chain. A meeting with Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, elected representatives, officials and members of the action committee has been scheduled at the Pune district collector’s office on Monday.
The protest was organised over the reported drying up of the Nira River, which flows along the boundary of Indapur and Malshiras talukas. Farmers said the river has remained dry for several months, affecting water-supply schemes serving villages along its banks. The disruption has also intensified concerns over drinking water and fodder for livestock in the river-side settlements.
The protesters are seeking the release of water from the Veer-Bhatghar chain of dams and want water to be impounded in the downstream bandharas. The demand is aimed at restoring water availability in the river channel and supporting village-level water supply and livestock needs, according to the report.
Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, former minister and National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories president Harshvardhan Patil, Member of Parliament Dhairyashil Mohite-Patil, MLA Uttamrao Jankar and former MLA Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil were among those who participated in the protest. Hundreds of farmers and women from both talukas, along with water resources officials, were also present.
During the agitation, Harshvardhan Patil contacted Vikhe Patil by telephone. Speaking to the farmers, the water resources minister said a meeting would be held with public representatives, senior office-bearers of the action committee and officials to discuss the release of water into the Nira River. He assured the participants that a positive decision would be considered, according to the report.
The road blockade was withdrawn after the minister’s assurance and the announcement of the Monday meeting. The administration’s decision will determine whether water is released from the Veer-Bhatghar system and how the demand to retain water in the river’s bandharas is handled.
The issue places pressure on the water resources administration to address the immediate needs of river-side villages, including drinking water schemes, livestock water and fodder availability. The Monday meeting is expected to bring elected representatives, the action committee and departmental officials together to consider the request and decide the next steps.
