

RAJKOT: A water stream has been found beneath of greater Rann of Kutch which can turn out to be a water source for the BSF jawans deputed at the 380km long international border. They require one lakh litre of water per day which currently is provided by tankers. The proposal has been sent to the state government to install a plant to filter the water to reduce TDS level.

The finding of water is a result of joint affort by M G Thakar, head of Geology department of Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kutch university and chief hydrologist of Kutch district Naresh Gor. They both had started this work in 2012 by making borehole in desert and taking samples from 50 metre beneath the surface. They studied the sediments dug from the desert area to find out about the trees which used to grow at the place thousands of years ago and whether the mud found was that of a sea or a river. M G Thakar said, "We used carbon dating method and optically stimulated luminitations to analyze the sediments of fifty thousand to one lakh years."

Both the researchers procured some of the satellite images from Nasa and Isro's National remote sensing agency through which they found out that a river system used to exist in the area. They also found the course of river flowing at the place in the past. They drilled borehole near Badiabait, Mori bait and Trangdi bait where water stream was found beneath of desert. The place is also near Badiabait hitch post of BSF. "The TDS level in sea water is over 50,000 to 60,000 while the TDS level in our drinking water is 500. We have found the water stream here which has TDS level of 4200 which can be easily filtered and used for drinking purpose", said M G Thakar.

Chief hydrologist of Kutch Naresh Gor said, "According to our result the Indus River was flowing from here before 5,000 to 7,000 years and then it has changed it’s course. We have found this water source which can provide the water to the BSF Jawans, they require nearly 1 lakh litter water per day which currently is provided though tankers." The tankers from Khavda transport water to 150 KM inside. The BSF Jawans face major issues related to drinking water throughout the year and because of salination in the soil it’s difficult to lay the pipeline.

