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Water Conservation Drive to cover 11K lakh cu mt area across Gujarat

32 dead rivers will be revived, desilting in 5,400 km canal network to start from Tuesday

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Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at a press conference in Gandhinagar on Sunday
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Under the water-conservation drive — Jal Sanchay Abhiyan, which will launch on Tuesday from Kosamdi village, Bharuch district, the government of Gujarat is expecting to collect 11,000 lakh cubic meter area will be covered by deepening 13,000 lakes and reservoirs across the state in a bid to yield more water.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, on Sunday said at a press conference on Sunday, "This cause has been initiated by the Gujarat government for the people. We all need to understand the value of every single drop of water and that is why water-conservation drive was the need of the hour that has been initiated with the cooperation of the common man, non-government organisations, corporate sectors and everyone who is part of this society. This will help recharge the groundwater as water tables in state have gone deeper. This drive will be a permanent solution as water collected through different sources will percolate deep in the ground."

"We are going by the 5 'R' formula focusing on reviving resources, recharging ground water, reduction of wastage, recycling of used water and rationalising water usage. All the members of our cabinet will dedicate their time for this drive and will spend three days of weekends in the areas they are assigned for this drive. We also seek the participation of every single person of this society who can devote their time, money or physical contribution for this drive," the CM added.

The chief minister also said that Gujarat government would encourage farmers to opt for drip irrigation and other micro irrigation systems so that every single drop of water is utilised properly and not wasted.

The chief secretary of Gujarat Dr. JN Singh also briefed the media persons on this occasion and said, "More than 13,000 lakes, check dams and reservoirs will be deepened in the drive. Water from over 11,000 lakh cu mt area will be collected through this drive. The government is also going to revive 32 dead rivers in Gujarat spread over 340 km-long stretches in 30 different districts. More than 5,400 km long canal network and 580 km long cut canals will be made free from the silt and other muck by dredging and desilting process."

Singh also added that more than 4,000 earth movers and more than 8,000 transportation vehicles will be used for civil works. Around 50 lakh man days employment would be generated under this drive and labourers will be paid remuneration under MNREGA scheme, with 10,570 different works related to water conservation and water collections.

WHAT WORKS WILL BE TAKEN UNDER THE JAL SANCHAY ABHIYAN

Ahmedabad: Recycled water to be used in Sabarmati riverfront, desilting in Sabarmati river, Kharicut canal and deepening of 12 different lakes. People will be sensitised to not throw waste in cut canals

Surat: Water hyacinth will be removed from River Tapi so that more water can be utilised for recharging of groundwater. Cleaning and desilting of six lakes

Vadodara: Desilting in 35 lakes and revival of Vishwamitri river flowing between the city

Rajkot: Six lakes will be deepened and one more huge lake will be prepared, desilting in Aaji river

Jamnagar: Desilting and revival of Rangmati and Nagmati rivers.

CONGRESS CALLS IT A STUNT

Gujarat Congress on Sunday criticised the government’s water conservation drive calling it a publicity stunt. The party in a release said the government should first give an account of the excess water that is used during the month of December. The party also alleged a scam in the construction of check dams and farm ponds saying many of them were made only on paper.

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