Surendranagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today launched the second spell of the state-wide Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan (SSJA) by performing “ShramDaan” at Tarnetar in Surendranagar District with a resolve to conserve water through deepening lakes, ponds and other reservoirs.

He said that Government of Gujarat has made proper arrangements so that our future generation do not have to face water scarcity. It’s our resolve to save every single drop of rain. This water conservation campaign will provide farming and drinking water to Saurashtra Kutch and to entire Surendranagar.

Rupani said that this year State Government is committed to take up this campaign as a mission to remove the water crises with the support of people of Gujarat.Social, Voluntary, Co-operative organizations will also join the campaign.

Rupani said that since last many years lakes have not been deepened and due to it’s the storage of water was becoming a big question. Farmers had to face many problems due to water. The second spell of the SSJA will solve the problem of farmers and continuously second year they will be benefited through it.

Elaborating about the last year success Rupani said that, with a target of deepening 13 thousand lakes and ponds across the state around 14 thousand were deepened. Against the target to dig 11 thousand cubic feet of soil 14 thousand cubic feet soil was achieved.

Rupani said that we had faced many water scarcities in past. But now the question of water scarcity have just became past of us. Though Sauni Yojana the waters of Narmada are reaching 115 dams of Saurashtra. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to welcome Narmada waters in Shaetrunji dam of Palitana and Ranjitsagar dam of Jamnagar on 4th and 5th March 2019. The tender process for the third phase of Sauni Yojana has been started. Desalination plant will be built up to convert sea water into portable drinking water, Modi will lay the foundation stone of the same.He paid homage to the Soldiers who lost life’s in the Pulwama terrorist attacks and said that Sacrifices of soldiers will not go in vain.

In his welcome speech president of Sardar Patel Jal-Sanchay Scheme Dr. Bharatbhai Bhoghara said that, Rupani started the state-wide Sujalam Sufalam from the holy land of Panchal. Through these abhiyan many thousands of lakes of Saurashtra will be deepened. In which water will be stored at large. These will benefit lakhs of farmers and villagers.
The main features of SSJA are as mentioned- there is a plan of around 13834 works at cost of Rs. 33009 lakh in the state. These will increase the water storage capacity of approximately 14,000 lakh cubic feet. Works of approx. 3524 lakes, check dams and other reservoirs will be done.

Under MGNREGA Yojana 4238 lakes and check dams and other reservoirs will be deepened. There are plans to create about 184 new ponds in the state. The repairs works of check dams and ponds have been planned under it. There is a plan of 651 works for rain water harvesting and to stop polluted water entre into the rivers and lakes. A total of more than 5000 JCB, Hitachi, poklan, as well 18000 Tractors, dumpers will be used.

After praying at Trineteshvar Mahadev at Tarnetar Rupani launched the second spell through JCB. President of Thangadh nagarpalika Vijaybhai Bhagat thanked all.

– Information