After enduring decades of water scarcity and financial hardship, farmers in several tehsils of Pune district have finally received a significant commitment from the Maharashtra government. The state water resources department has sanctioned a massive Rs 240 crore for the critical restoration and concrete lining of the ageing Kukadi left-bank canal.
A Lifeline in Distress: The Decades-Long Struggle
The Kukadi irrigation project, commissioned in 1977, has been a crucial source of water for thousands of hectares across Junnar, Ambegaon, Ahilyanagar (Nagar), and Solapur districts. However, over the years, the 250-km-long network fell into severe disrepair. Extensive seepage, persistent leakage, and frequent breaches drastically reduced water flow to tail-end villages, crippling agricultural cycles.
Farmers described a relentless struggle where their fields turned barren due to the unreliable water supply. "The canal is older than most of us farming today," said Shankar Wagh, a farmer from Otur. "We watched water disappear into the ground while our crops wilted. Every season was a gamble." The financial distress deepened for many families as crop cycles were repeatedly delayed or failed entirely.
The Restoration Project: A Race Against Time
The sanctioned funds will be used for comprehensive repairs on multiple vulnerable stretches of the canal network. Superintendent engineer Alka Aherao confirmed that a tender worth Rs 249 crore has been finalized and work has already commenced. "The plan is to complete the project within a year," Aherao stated, highlighting the challenge of maintaining the work pace while managing water release requirements.
The primary goal is to drastically reduce seepage, which will ensure equitable and timely distribution of water to downstream villages. For farmer couple Rajesh and Sunita Gavate from Alephata, this intervention is a last hope. "We often felt we didn't matter when water failed to reach us. It was a struggle to save even a single crop. Repairs are the last hope for our livelihood," they expressed.
Voices from the Fields: Relief, Hope, and Caution
Farmers and activists have welcomed the move but also sound a note of caution. Bhairavnath Khule, a farmer from Junnar, pointed out that no major repair was undertaken in the last 40 years, forcing communities into debt. "Losses were huge, and most families would not be under heavy debt today had the government acted earlier," he said.
Activist Shantaaram Sarvade from Khed sees the project as more than just infrastructure work. "This isn't just repairs; it is the revival of hundreds of acres of farmland that have turned infertile over the years," he emphasized, noting the potential prosperity for drought-prone areas of Solapur.
However, farmer Sharad Kale from Alephata urged authorities to ensure quality. "Authorities should keep a close watch on the ongoing work and inspect the sites periodically. If not, it will have long-term adverse consequences, and farmers will have to suffer for years to come," he warned.
The restoration of the Kukadi canal represents a critical step towards water security and agricultural revival in the region, offering a tangible solution to a problem that has plagued generations of farmers.
