Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 23 (ANI): Ensuring that pure water reaches every corner of Gujarat has been a top priority for the state government. This commitment was recognized at the ‘National Water Award’ ceremony held in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu honoured Gujarat and Puducherry for achieving third place in the Excellent State category.
This recognition stands as a proud moment for the entire state. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and guided by Water Resources Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and State Minister Mukesh Patel, Gujarat has truly embodied the mantra that “Water is Life”, Gujarat CMO said in a press release.
The assessment and ground verification conducted by the Central Water Commission determined the rankings, with Odisha securing the first position and Uttar Pradesh in second place. Gujarat and Puducherry achieved third position in the Excellent State category. P C Vyas, Secretary of the Water Resources Department of the Government of Gujarat, received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at the ‘National Water Award’ ceremony, held in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil.
The CMO said that under the visionary leadership of then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has undertaken numerous innovative and successful projects in the field of water management. As part of the ‘Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan’, over 5,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures have been implemented in urban and rural areas. Additionally, approximately Rs 800 crore has been invested in various water conservation programs.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Gujarat has expanded micro-irrigation systems to cover 2.8 lakh hectares of agricultural land, significantly boosting irrigation capacity. An allocation of Rs 500 crore has been made specifically for drip and sprinkler irrigation systems under this scheme. Initiatives taken under PMKSY and the Mukhyamantri Kisan Sahay Yojana have resulted in a 20 percent reduction in water usage, while also driving a notable increase in agricultural production across the state, CMO added in the press release.
The Government of Gujarat has made a significant investment of Rs 1,000 crore towards water capacity technology and farmer training programs. In addition, under a state-led initiative, Water Users Associations have been established in approximately 1,200 villages, with an expenditure of Rs 200 crore, aimed at promoting efficient water usage and management practices.
As part of the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, Gujarat has extended water supply management to 90 percent of rural households, ensuring tap connections at an investment of Rs 3,500 crores. The state is on track to achieve 100 percent household tap connections by 2025. Additionally, under the ‘Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation’ (AMRUT), a budget of Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated to achieve 100 percent water supply coverage in urban areas.
Under Central and State government initiatives, a substantial investment of Rs 150 crore has been made to develop 200 groundwater recharge wells in over-exploited zones, aimed at enhancing groundwater management. Additionally, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Rs 50 crore has been allocated to water purification projects, leading to improved water quality in over 500 villages across the state.
Water from the Narmada River is being supplied for drinking and irrigation throughout Gujarat via the Sardar Sarovar Dam. As part of this initiative, the Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC), a subsidiary of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), is implementing modern irrigation methods to improve water facilities for farmers across the state.
Gujarat continues to lead the nation in utilizing technology within the water resources sector. These initiatives have led to significant advancements in water conservation, supply management, and agricultural productivity. As a result of these efforts, Gujarat has emerged as a standout performer in the National Water Awards, as noted in the latest report from the Water Resources Department, the press release added. (ANI)
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