Gandhinagar: Gujarat government has taken a decision at the Chief Ministerial level to fill over 200 ponds of Dhanera and Tharad talukas of Banaskantha district with Narmada water through a lift pipeline.

This will result in the rise of groundwater in these areas that have no irrigation system. More than 200 ponds in government wastage land are to be filled with Narmada water through a 61 km long main pipeline and 135 km long sub pipeline that shall carry 200 cusecs water powered by 3 pumping stations.

The Chief Minister has given in-principle approval for this Rs. 1411 crore project. It’s worth noting here that at present 0.60 MAF water is lifted through 14 lift pipelines with a capacity of 3375 cusecs. For an additional 1 MAF lifting of water, the installed capacity needs to be increased. In this connection, the Chief Minister has taken a decision to bring more than 200 ponds of Tharad and Dhanera talukas under Narmada water coverage.