Air valve theft triggers 40-ft water fountain in Khandwa:25,000 farmers hit as supply halted; leakage detected minutes after irrigation began

A major disruption occurred in the Chaigaonmakhan lift irrigation project in Khandwa after an air valve was stolen from the main pipeline. The issue came to light when water was released for field irrigation, causing a massive 40-foot fountain at the point where the valve was removed. As a result, the water supply has been stopped, affecting more than 25,000 farmers who were preparing for the first irrigation of their wheat crop. 40-ft water fountain exposes theft When the pipeline was pressurized to begin irrigation, the missing air valve led to heavy leakage. Water gushed upward like a fountain, forcing officials to immediately halt supply. Company teams reached the spot and began inspection. Since the pipeline is currently filled, repair work will start only after it is fully emptied. Officials estimate that maintenance will take two days, after which water distribution will resume. Air valves prevent pressure damage Executive Engineer Pramod Bhandari of the Narmada Valley Development Authority said the air valve installed near Bamjhar village had been stolen. These valves are essential for releasing air pressure and preventing pipeline bursts. He noted that despite the project being designed for farmers’ benefit, cooperation from villagers is often lacking. The stolen component’s market value, he added, is not even ₹1,000. 25,000 farmers lose first irrigation Bhandari stated that the Chaigaonmakhan Irrigation Scheme has been running at full capacity for only the past two years. For the current Rabi season, water was released on November 15. Four days later, the system shut down due to the valve theft, leaving all 25,000 farmers connected to the project without their first irrigation. Automatic shutdown triggered by leak Officials explained that the pump house is equipped with a safety mechanism that automatically stops supply if any leakage is detected in the pipeline. After the motor was switched on, pressure could not build because water was escaping rapidly through the open valve point. As designed, the machines at the pump house shut down soon afterward. ​