Gujarat releases 16 MCFT from Lakhanka Dam to ease Bhavnagar water crisis
Synopsis
Gujarat's government has approved the release of 16 MCFT of water from Lakhanka Dam in Bhavnagar to fill downstream check dams in Adhewada and Malanka — a direct response to summer water scarcity threatening farming and livestock. The move underscores a recurring annual challenge in the district, this time resolved through ministerial escalation.
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat government approved release of 16 MCFT of water from Lakhanka Dam on 6 May 2025 .
Water will fill check dams in downstream villages Adhewada and Malanka in Bhavnagar district .
The decision benefits local agriculture and animal husbandry facing summer water shortages.
Bhavnagar Diamond Association President Bharatbhai Maniya (Talwar) raised the issue with Minister Jitu Vaghani .
The Narmada and Water Resources Department formally approved the release after ministerial intervention.
The Gujarat government has decided to release 16 million cubic feet (MCFT) of water from Lakhanka Dam in Bhavnagar district to address acute water scarcity affecting farmers, villagers, and livestock during the summer season. The decision, announced on Tuesday, 6 May, came after a formal representation was made to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
What the Decision Covers
The released water is intended to fill check dams in the downstream villages of Adhewada and Malanka, replenishing local water bodies that typically witness sharp seasonal declines during peak summer. Officials indicated the move is expected to directly benefit local agriculture and animal husbandry by improving water availability across the region. The state's Narmada and Water Resources Department formally approved the release following inter-ministerial consultation.
How the Decision Was Reached
Bhavnagar Diamond Association President Bharatbhai Maniya (Talwar) first flagged the water shortage crisis to Minister Jitu Vaghani, drawing attention to the difficulties faced by residents. Minister Vaghani subsequently raised the matter with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel, urging immediate intervention. The state government responded by approving the dam water release within the same week.
What Officials Said
Minister Jitu Vaghani said,
Point of View
And check dam replenishment — while welcome — does not address the underlying deficit in groundwater recharge or long-term reservoir planning. The fact that relief required a Diamond Association president to escalate the matter to two ministers before the bureaucracy acted raises questions about whether Gujarat's water distribution machinery is proactive or reactive. With climate variability intensifying summer stress across Saurashtra, one-off releases will grow insufficient without a district-level water security framework.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Gujarat releasing water from Lakhanka Dam?
The Gujarat government approved the release of 16 MCFT of water from Lakhanka Dam in Bhavnagar district to address summer water scarcity affecting farmers, villagers, and livestock. The water will fill check dams in the downstream villages of Adhewada and Malanka.
Which villages will benefit from the Lakhanka Dam water release?
The villages of Adhewada and Malanka, located downstream of Lakhanka Dam in Bhavnagar district, are the primary beneficiaries. The filled check dams are expected to support local agriculture and animal husbandry.
Who initiated the decision to release water from Lakhanka Dam?
Bhavnagar Diamond Association President Bharatbhai Maniya (Talwar) brought the water shortage issue to Minister Jitu Vaghani, who then escalated it to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel, leading to the approval.
Which government department approved the water release?
The state's Narmada and Water Resources Department formally approved the release of water from Lakhanka Dam following representation from Minister Jitu Vaghani to the Chief Minister and Water Supply Minister.
Is water scarcity a recurring issue in Bhavnagar district?
Yes, water scarcity during summer months is a recurring concern in rural areas of Bhavnagar district. The decision has been welcomed locally as a relief measure, though the underlying seasonal water deficit remains a longer-term challenge.
