2-Sep-2017: Foundation stone laid for ‘Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation Yojana’ (SAUNI) Phase-II Link-4
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind recently laid the foundation stone of ‘Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation Yojana’ (SAUNI) Phase-II Link-4 in Rajkot, Gujarat.
SAUNI stands for Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation, a project launched in September 2012. SAUNI envisages filling 115 major dams of the arid Saurashtra region by diverting floodwaters overflowing from the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada in south Gujarat. It involves laying a 1,125-km network of pipelines at a cost of Rs 12,166 crore to carry Narmada water to these dams, and irrigate 4.13 lakh hectares (ha) land. Parts of Saurashtra are prone to drought, and irrigation water is also a politically sensitive issue in this region.
Unlike traditional irrigation projects, SAUNI is technically a ‘linking’ project, where the water will be filled in irrigation dams that are already equipped with canal network. This network of canals will then help channel water into farms. Also, SAUNI project involves making pipe canals instead of the conventional open canals. The pipelines in the SAUNI project are underground, which means that no land needs to be acquired.
29-Jun-2017: PM inaugurates filling of Aji Dam under SAUNI Yojana
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the filling of Aji Dam near Rajkot under SAUNI Yojana.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, he said that Gujarat has come a long way from the days of the past, when it faced tremendous water shortage. He said that the last two decades have seen several positive changes in Gujarat's development journey.
The more people have access to water, the more doors of progress will open. The Government's priority is to give water as early as possible. It is also a responsibility to be careful and conserve as much water as possible. He called for embracing the latest technology in the sphere of water conservation.
17-Apr-2017: PM launches projects related to SAUNI Yojana
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, Phase-1 (Link 2) of the SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) Yojana, at Botad. He also laid the Foundation Stone of Phase 2 (Link 2) of the SAUNI Yojana.
Earlier, he welcomed Narmada water into the Krishna Sagar Lake by pressing a button and offering flower petals. He described water as a holy offering from nature. He said water is reaching Saurashtra with the blessings of the River Narmada. He said this is the result of a lot of effort, and would benefit the farmers.
He complimented the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the work done by him on river water conservation, and the Narmada. He called for the extensive use of drip irrigation, and said the Union Government is working on ways to help double incomes in the agriculture sector.