Water for All – Gujarath Illustrates

As a party worker in his early days, Modi had observed that the shortage of water was
the biggest hurdle in the growth and development of Gujarat. Hence, soon after
becoming the Chief Minister, Modi focused his energies on the problem of water scarcity
that Gujarat was facing. He committed himself to a mission – ‘Water for All’ to ensure an
enhanced quality of life for all the citizens of the state; and in just five years, under his
leadership, Gujarat has witnessed a water revolution.

He accelerated the pace of the implementation of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Project with
the dam height today raised to 121.9 metres from 90 metres five years ago, thus making
the waters of Narmada river flow all across the state through canals and water
transmission lines.

Yet another initiative launched by his Government is the Sujalam Suflam Yojana (literally
meaning water for prosperity) which aims to convert the dry and water scarce
landscapes of Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat into lush green and flourishing
greenscapes. This scheme aims to spread the canal network right from the river Mahi in
central Gujarat to the Banas in north Gujarat as well as creating additional storage
capacity in various reservoirs and ponds in these areas.

Gujarat was the first state to implement the unique concept of river interlinking. Modi
received wide appreciation from one and all when due to his vision, the dried river
Saraswati in Northern part of Gujarat, considered very pious, was rejuvenated by
bringing the waters of the river Narmada.

He also actively encouraged the application of all kinds of water harvesting, water
harnessing and management techniques. Under his visionary leadership, watershed
development, construction of check dams, khet talavadis (farm ponds), boribunds
(obstructing the flow of water by putting cement filled bags) have become the
government’s commitment and a people’s movement.

A statewide drinking water grid is also being established for providing drinking water to
more than 14,000 villages and 154 towns. The result is that earlier about 4,000 villages
needed to be provided water through tankers which has now reduced to less than 185.