Gandhinagar, 5 July, 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today approved Rs. 345 crore Lakhpat-Abdasa re-modelling water supply pilot project during her visit to Kutch district. 274 villages of Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas are decalred half scarcity hit. Under this project, for the first time in India, need of water for cattle has been taken into consideration. Lakhpat-Abdasa have three time more population of cattle compared to humans.

Chief Minister said the Lakhpat-Abdasa Re-modelling Water Supply Scheme’s pilot project involves 1100 km pipeline, 3 water filtration plants, 180 underground sumps and 29 tall water tanks. She said this project will give boost to animal husbandry and milk production.

She shared details of state government’s efforts to supply water to remote areas of state like Narayan Sarovar and Rapar.

She said Rs. 515 crore works for three pumping stations including pumping stations at Rapar taluka’s Manjuvas and Nani Hamirpur village and pne near Bhachau town are in final stage. Once ready these pumping stations will lift Narmada water to 55.3 meter height which is matching to an 18-storeye building and supply water to Kutch.

She said Kutch branch canal shall witness total rs. 3559 crore works, of which Rs. 1427 crore works are completed while Rs. 1422 crore works are in progress.

She said 886 villages, 8 towns of Kutch district will get Narmada drinking water supply. She also said that 7 talukas – Rapar, Bhachau, Gandhidham, Anjar, Mundra, Mandvi and Bhuj will get Narmada water irrigation facility covering 112778 ha land of 182 villages. Works for the longest Kutch branch canal of Narmada project which is 357 km long are in progress at present. Presently, water has reached upto 45 km(Zazam village). By end of this month it will reach 82.3 km(Santalpur taluka’s Madhutra village). Major work for 2.55 km long canal siphon is in last phase of construction.

By December, Kutch branch canal’s 144 km(Jesadav village of Rapra taluka) works will be over and water will be flowing.

Anandiben expressed government’s desire to fill Narayan Sarovar with Narmada water throughout the year to make it a place of tourist attraction.

District prabhari minister Shankarbhai Chaudhary in his speech mentioned provision of Rs. 1138 crore in recent budget for Narmada canal works.

Chief Minister dedicated Rs. 22.93 crore development works including 3 substations of 66 KV capacity(each). She performed ground breaking for a state-of-the-art animal hostel.