Siddhpur: On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed Matru Shri Hiraba Sarovar at Matrugaya Tirth, Siddhpur.

The sarovar has been developed by the state government’s Narmada, Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpasar Department as part of the revival work of the Lokmata Saraswati River. The initiative reflects PM Modi’s vision of linking public participation with water management to ensure water conservation, irrigation, and the supply of water to remote areas, the state government said in an official note.

In collaboration with the Dholakia Foundation’s Phuliba Trust, the river rejuvenation project is expected to prevent waterlogging in the lower areas of Madhupavdiya Check Dam. The reservoir will store over 45 million cubic feet of water, benefiting approximately 150 hectares of farmland and raising the groundwater levels of more than 20 nearby recharge wells.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Siddhpur MLA and Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput and Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Kunwarjibhai Bavaliya. CM Patel dedicated the project as a tribute to PM Modi’s mother, Hiraba, whose teachings on perseverance and public service inspired her son’s lifelong commitment to social welfare.

CM Patel highlighted that PM Modi’s childhood experiences, witnessing his mother struggle for water, shaped his determination to address water challenges across Gujarat, particularly in North Gujarat. “This vision took tangible form in 2005 when PM Modi, on the auspicious day of Rishi Panchami, performed the Jalabhishek of sacred waters from the Narmada and Sabarmati rivers into the Lokmata Saraswati River at Siddhpur, marking Gujarat’s first historic river integration project,” the CM stated.

“Under PM Modi’s guidance, the state adopted sustainable and long-term solutions for water management, replacing temporary fixes with initiatives that benefit society at large,” CM Patel said. He added that through projects such as check dams, river rejuvenation, and water conservation, the government has ensured irrigation and drinking water reaches every corner of the state.

CM Patel also emphasized that PM Modi’s values, instilled by his mother Hiraba, inspire a life dedicated to public welfare and environmental sustainability. He encouraged citizens to participate in initiatives such as “Catch the Rain” and other water conservation programs, while also highlighting the PM’s vision of an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) India and the promotion of indigenous products through the Vocal for Local campaign. DeshGujarat