Gandhinagar, February 23: In a significant move to bolster water security, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel kicked off the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan 2.0, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ initiative. This statewide public participation campaign, aimed at saving and harvesting rainwater, will run until May 31, 2026.
The ambitious program targets deepening 10 ponds in every taluka to enhance groundwater levels and rainwater storage. Six key government departments—Water Resources, Water Supply, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, Rural Development, Forest & Environment, and Urban Development—will collaborate across all districts, involving local communities.
Key activities include deepening existing lakes, desilting check dams and reservoirs, repairing damaged structures, cleaning canals, constructing farm ponds, building earthen check dams, harvesting rooftop rainwater, maintaining drinking water sources, and clearing invasive vegetation from riverbeds. These efforts promise to rejuvenate water infrastructure comprehensively.
CM Patel inaugurated the campaign by deepening a lake in Bhat village, Gandhinagar, boosting its storage capacity to 2.01 lakh cubic feet. Since its inception in 2018, the annual drive has completed 122,299 works, including deepening 39,542 ponds, desilting 26,544 check dams, and cleaning 82,240 km of canals, increasing the state’s water storage by 139,959 lakh cubic feet and generating 210 lakh man-days of employment.
The event saw participation from Water Resources Minister Ishwar Singh Patel, MP Hasmukhbhai Patel, MLAs Alpeshbhai Thakor and Ritaben Patel, Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, and senior officials. This renewed push underscores Gujarat’s commitment to sustainable water management amid climate challenges.