District Collector E I Kalasva told Express Newsline that though the dam was located in Dahod district, much of its water was being utilised by farmers in Kheda district because the gravitational water flow was towards Kheda.

According to him, Kadana water was released in Wanakbori reservoir in Kheda district, from where it was supplied to farmers through a network of canals.

Panchmahals district collector A K Rakesh, when contacted, said the geographical location of the dam was such that KLBC could not be supplied water from the dam if the water level was below 382 feet. Since the present water level in the dam was below 373 feet, it could not be released into KLBC through natural flow. Hence, the complaints from farmers.

However, sources said that farmers were provoked by certain political groups to extract personal benefits from the state government. It was because of interference from political groups that farmers had even demanded that water should not be released to Kheda district if it could not be used by the locals, they said.

However, counselling from the district authorities and irrigation department engineers helped them understand the practical problems and agree to withdraw the stir.