The Gujarat government has assured residents and farmers that it will take all necessary steps to maintain drinking and irrigation water availability in areas that experienced deficient rainfall, while examining sources beyond the Narmada network and promoting less water-intensive crops.
State government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani gave the assurance in Gandhinagar on Wednesday while responding to a question on whether scarcity would be declared in parts of the state affected by inadequate rainfall. He said the government had provided additional water in the recent past and would continue taking steps to ensure supplies for drinking and agriculture.
“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, according to the Times of India report.
The statement did not announce a scarcity declaration for any specific district or identify the areas that could face shortages. It also did not provide details on the quantity of additional water supplied previously, the volume available through alternative sources or a timeline for any new measures.
Vaghani said the state was exploring sources other than the Narmada network to meet water requirements. The Narmada network is a key part of Gujarat’s water-supply system, and the government’s reference to other sources indicates that officials are examining additional options as rainfall conditions affect availability.
The government’s response covers both urban drinking water and agricultural demand. For cities and towns, the assurance relates to the continuity of drinking-water supplies. For rural areas and farming communities, it also concerns irrigation access and the availability of water for crops. The statement did not specify whether any urban local bodies or districts had been instructed to alter supply schedules.
The agriculture department is also preparing a proposal to educate farmers about adopting crops that require less water, Vaghani said. The proposal is intended to reduce dependence on water-intensive cultivation, but the government has not yet disclosed which crops would be promoted, where the programme would be implemented or when farmer outreach would begin.
The announcement places immediate attention on how Gujarat will manage water demand if deficient rainfall affects supplies beyond the current period. Any formal decision on scarcity, additional water releases or crop-related measures would provide further clarity on the state’s response. For now, the government’s position is that drinking and irrigation water will be prioritised and that additional sources and lower-water farming practices are being considered.
