CM launches ‘Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana’ for Saurashtra
115 irrigation dams of all the seven districts of Saurashtra will be filled with surplus Naramda water at the cost of Rs.10,000 crore
CM calls upon to undertake disilting of irrigation dams, use drip irrigation
On the birth anniversary of Pandit Dindayal Upadhyaya Gujarat will actualize his dream of ‘har khetar ko pani, har hath ko kam’ ~ CM
Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced the ambitious ‘Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana’ for Saurashtra region under which the irrigation dams of all the seven districts of Saurashtra will be filled with one million acre feet of surplus Naramda water at the cost of Rs.10,000 crore. Mr.Modi was speaking at a huge Kisan Vikas Sammelan held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay.
Giving details of the scheme the chief minister said that initially the geographical and water conservation capacity review of the irrigation dams will be carried out by international experts. As per their report the Saurashtra region will be divided into four link zones - east, west, central and south zones. Narmada water will be filled through gravity in 115 dams of seven districts by 1115 km. long link canals of all the four zones. He exuded faith that the scheme will add new strength to economy of Saurashtra.
The four links include, Link-1: Matchu-2 to Sani; East Saurashtra, Link-2: Kalubhar to Raydi, Link-3: Dholidhaja-Venu; central Saurashtra, Link-4: Bhogavo to Hiran-2, south Saurashtra. The dams which will see replenishment include 30 dams in Rajkot, 28 dams in Jamnagar, 13 dams in Junagadh, 09 dams in Amreli, 05 dams in Surendranagar and 04 dams in Porbandar district.
The chief minister said that he will have personal commitment for executing the SAUNI Yojana during next five years and that the scheme will end the water-scarcity problems of Saurashtra.
Mr.Modi expressed happiness that he got opportunity to launch this scheme on the birth anniversary of Pandit Dindayalji. “‘Har khetar ko pani, har hath ko kam’ (water to every farm, employment to every individual) was pandit dindayal’s dream, and that is the right path to strengthen Indian economy. Farmers of India are capable enough to provide food to entire Europe. But the rulers at Centre neglected the might of farmers. Gujarat has initiated in this direction”, he said.
The Narmada water coming to Saurashtra herald the beginning of golden period for Gujarat, Mr.Modi said. “Earlier when we undertook Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, some elements raised doubts against it. But Rs.6,000 crore Sujalam Sufalam project has freed this land from the issue of dark zone”, he added.
Chief Minister called upon to undertake disilting work of all the irrigation dam of Saurashtra. He also asked people to adopt drip irrigation method.
MP Purshottam Rupala thanked the chief minister on behalf of the farmers and people of Saurashtra for launching of the scheme which will be instrumental in fertilizing the arid land of Saurashtra.
On the occasion, the chief minister also released a booklet prepared by Narmada and Water Resources Department.
Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani, Minister of State for Energy Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Forest and Environment Kiritsinh Rana, Minister of State for Higher Education Vasuben Trivedi, Minister of State for Rural Development Mohan Kundariya, Minister of State for Water Resources Kanubhai Bhalala, Chairman of Gauseva Ayog Dr.Vallabh Kathiriya, Parliamentary Secretary L.T.Rajani, BJP’s Gujarat unit president R C Faldu, Principal Secretary K Kailasnathan, Principal Secretary to Water Resources S J Desai, Chairman of state planning commission Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Rajkot Mayor Janak Kotak, president of district panchayat Hansaben Paredhi and senior officials of district were present on the occasion.
