Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani has taken a decision in the interest of farmers by ensuring that there is an abundant supply of water for irrigation during summers. Under the Government of Gujarat’s SAUNI Yojana, 25 reservoirs, 120 lakes, and 400 check dams in Saurashtra region will be filled with 4,000 million cubic feet of water lifted from Narmada River. As a result, the groundwater level of the Saurashtra region will rise and the farmers will have enough water for irrigation throughout the season.
Providing details of the decision taken by the Chief Minister, Secretary to CM, Mr. Ashwani Kumar said that the reservoirs, lakes, and check dams in Saurashtra and Kutch region will be filled with an estimated 4000 million cubic feet water from Narmada River during the summer as an initiative of the Irrigation Department.
The process is being carried out in three phases. With the completion of Link-1 from Machhu-2 reservoir of Morbi to Und-1 reservoir of Jamnagar, the work of filling the lakes in Morbi and Rajkot districts started from 21st May 2020. While in other areas of the Saurashtra-Kutch region, the lakes, reservoirs, and check dams will be soon filled in phases through three other link canals under ‘SAUNI’ Yojana. The first phase of the project is complete while phase 2 is nearing completion and phase 3 is in progress.
Mr. Ashwani Kumar added that apart from ensuring an adequate supply of water for irrigation, this project will also solve the problem of potable water for the citizens and the cattle during the summer season.
Source: Information Department, Gujarat