Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat has completed the construction of Package 8 and Package 9 of Link-3 under the SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) Yojana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate this project to the people of Saurashtra during his visit on July 27.

52,398 acres of land in 95 villages and more than 98,000 people will be benefitted

The recently completed Packages 8 and 9 of Link-3, under SAUNI Yojana, will now provide water to 52,398 acres of irrigable land in 95 villages and potable water to around 98,000 people of Saurashtra.

It is to be noted here that a 2.5-meter diameter M.S. pipeline has been laid as a feeder extension line over 32.56 km up to Bhadar-1 and Veri Dam under Package-8 of Link-3, at a cost of ₹256 crores. This will enable potable water for more than 75,000 people in 57 villages and irrigation water for more than 42,380 acres of land from the Narmada River.

Similarly, a 2.5-meter diameter M.S. pipeline has been laid as a feeder extension line over 36.50 km up to Aji-1 Dam and Fofal-1 under Package-9 of Link-3, at a cost of ₹129 crores. This will provide Narmada water for irrigation to more than 10,018 acres of land in 38 villages and potable water for 23,000 people.

Talking about the importance of the SAUNI Yojana, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “SAUNI Yojana is the brainchild of Prime Minister when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. 1203 km of pipelines have been laid in the last 7 years and a total estimated 71,206 million cubic feet of water has been made available in 95 reservoirs, 146 ponds, and 927 check dams, improving irrigation facilities in an area of about 6.50 lakh acres and providing Narmada’s potable water to 80 lakh people.”

What is SAUNI Yojana and why is it special for Saurashtra?

Saurashtra-Narmada Avataran Irrigation Yojana (SAUNI Yojana) is the lifeline for the people of Saurashtra in Gujarat. It aims to store an additional 1 million acre-feet (43,500 million cubic feet) of water from the Narmada River in 115 existing reservoirs across 11 drought-prone districts in Saurashtra.

Upon completion, more than 970 villages will receive Narmada water for irrigation, benefiting 8,24,872 acres of land and providing drinking water to 82 lakh people. 95% of the SAUNI project has been completed at an expenditure of ₹18,563 crore, and the remaining work is progressing rapidly.

It is to be noted that geographically, Saurashtra presents many challenges with low groundwater levels and limited storage capacity in its reservoirs. Moreover, due to inadequate and inconsistent rainfall in the region, rainwater storage is less. As a lasting solution to these problems, Prime Minister and the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi envisioned the SAUNI Yojana which has proved to be a lifeline project for the people of Saurashtra. DeshGujarat