Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has launched a project to rejuvenate and beautify lakes and ponds across the Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency by interconnecting water bodies in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts through pipelines and filling them with Narmada water in a phased manner.

Under the initiative, a total of 817 lakes and ponds across the two districts are planned to be interconnected. In the first phase, work on 119 water bodies is being undertaken under the Bhagirath Project at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore. The progress of the project is being closely monitored through regular fortnightly review meetings.

Of the 119 water bodies included in the first phase, 69 are located in Gandhinagar district and 50 in Ahmedabad district. The project involves deepening the lakes and ponds, interlinking them through pipelines, and supplying Narmada water to improve water availability and rejuvenate the water bodies.

According to sources, the government machinery is working on a priority basis to complete the project before the onset of the monsoon. So far, work on 10 water bodies in Gandhinagar district and eight in Ahmedabad district has been completed.

Contractors have been assigned a target of completing work on the remaining 49 water bodies in Gandhinagar and 42 in Ahmedabad by June 30, 2026.

As part of the project, around 60 kilometres of 900-mm diameter pipelines are being laid to facilitate water transfer. A total of 56 tenders have been awarded to 21 private agencies for execution of the work.

It is learnt that once the project is completed, the rejuvenated lakes and ponds are expected to enhance the landscape of the region. Plans are also in place for beautification through plantation drives along the banks. Officials believe the interconnected water body system could also help channel rainwater during the monsoon into lakes and ponds, reducing waterlogging on roads and providing relief to residents. DeshGujarat