Keep Holi dry, CM Fadnavis tells citizens

As water levels reach dangerously low levels in the state’s dams, the government has stepped in to avoid wastage. The state has asked civic bodies not to supply water to swimming pools and, with the festival of Holi around the corner, is urging people not to hold rain dances or play with water

As water levels reach dangerously low levels in the state’s dams, the government has stepped in to avoid wastage. The state has asked civic bodies not to supply water to swimming pools and, with the festival of Holi around the corner, is urging people not to hold rain dances or play with water.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavi sent out a personal appeal, asking citizens to celebrate a “dry Holi” this year, by playing only with colours, not water.

“We have written to all municipal commissioners and chief executive officers (CEO) of municipal councils not to supply water to swimming pools in areas where there is acute water shortage,” said water resources minister Girish Mahajan.

There is only 26% water left in dams across the state. Marathwada is left with just 5% water.

“Water stock is limited and we have to cover the next four months. People in rural areas have to travel 5-6 km just to get drinking water. In some cities, water is being supplied once a week, in some others, it is once a month,” Mahajan told reporters in Vidhan Bhavan.

“People have now started organising events like rain dance during Holi, where a lot of water is wasted. I urge them not to do so,”said Mahajan.

Meanwhile, NCP legislator Sunil Tatkare on Wednesday asked the government how it would supply water to new industries, referring to the recent Make in India event, during which MoUs worth Rs8 lakh crore were signed to set up new industries. How would the government supply water, when it is facing such a shortage, Tatkare asked.