Banaskantha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually lay the foundation stone of a ₹141-crore drinking water project for the holy pilgrimage town of Ambaji and surrounding tribal areas of Banaskantha district. The Ambaji Group Water Supply Scheme (Part-1 and Part-2), covering tribal regions of Danta and Amirgarh talukas along with Ambaji town, is part of the Kadirup Abhiyan.

Under the scheme, a total of 34 villages of Danta and Amirgarh talukas and the population of Ambaji town will receive direct benefit. With the completion of the project, regular drinking water supply will be ensured for around 78,000 people in the region.

Surface-based water supply to replace groundwater dependence

The region is geographically hilly and rocky, due to which villages have so far depended largely on groundwater sources. The new project will convert the system into a surface source-based water supply scheme, which is expected to improve both water availability and public health conditions, a press release said.

Keeping future development of Ambaji in focus

Ambaji, being one of the major pilgrimage centres of India, the scheme has been designed keeping in view the future growth of the temple town and surrounding areas, ensuring long-term drinking water security for residents as well as pilgrims.

Gujarat strengthens statewide water supply grid

The state government has been expanding the Statewide Water Supply Grid by shifting from groundwater-based systems to river, canal and reservoir-based sources.

More than 3,300 km of bulk pipeline has been completed under the grid, enabling surface-based drinking water supply to over 15,000 villages and 251 urban areas, benefiting an estimated over five crore people across Gujarat.

Jal Jeevan Mission-2 to accelerate remaining works

The remaining villages will be covered under Jal Jeevan Mission-2, which will further accelerate rural drinking water projects in the state.

The Water Supply Department also stated that a 24×7 helpline number 1916 is operational to address water-related complaints in rural areas, ensuring prompt resolution for citizens.