Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has set the stage for Gujarat’s water future by inaugurating the second phase of Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan, a public-private water conservation powerhouse running till 2026. Inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ vision, it mobilizes six departments to execute widespread rainwater management across the state.
At its core, the campaign will fortify storage in 10 ponds per taluka through deepening, alongside groundwater replenishment. Extensive works encompass desilting reservoirs and check dams, repairing weirs and intakes, cleaning canals and forests, building soil conservation structures, and rooftop harvesting systems, all with community participation.
Launching from Bhat village’s lake deepening—now holding 2.01 lakh cubic feet more—the event marks continuity from 2018’s successes. In eight years, 122,299 projects enhanced storage by 139,959 lakh cubic feet, deepened thousands of ponds, cleared vast canal networks, and spurred employment, proving the model’s efficacy.
Joined by ministers, legislators, municipal leaders, and villagers, CM Patel emphasized collective action. This iteration arrives at a critical juncture, addressing erratic monsoons and rising demands, ensuring Gujarat’s water resources sustain agriculture, industry, and daily life for generations ahead.