Rajasthan has always been conceived as a desert area with sand mounds and barren terrain. However, this picture of the state is gradually changing owing to the efforts made by the state government. The constant efforts of CM Raje and Water Resources Minister Dr. Ram Pratap in the last 4 years have led the state to totally mitigate the problem of water irrigation. The state’s Jal Swavlamban Campaign has become an inspiration for other states to follow.
Aiming for the optimum utilization of village water, the third phase of the campaign has begun. The results have been impressive leading to all-time greenery in the villages that earlier faced water scarcity. In the program, the surplus water is being transferred to water-deficient river basins for proper management of water resources.
As BJP has completed 4 years in Rajasthan, here is a brief description of the achievements of the government regarding water resource management.
Drip Irrigation system
Drip and Fountain Irrigation
To ensure optimum use, the state is promoting drip irrigation and fountain irrigation system as mandatory practices under the Narmada Canal Project. Under this, an area spanning across 2, 45,800 hectares, has been provided with irrigation facilities. Likewise, under the Indira Gandhi Canal Project, the fountain irrigation system has been implemented for 28,732 hectares of land.
Allocation of funds for Projects
For the Ganga Canal Modernization Project, the government has spent INR 164.66 Crores providing irrigation for 656 hectares of land. Adding a grant worth INR 450 Crores, the total amount of money spent on the project sums to INR 182.99 Crores.
Under the Four Water Concept Project implemented in the entire state, efforts are being made to store the water which is otherwise wasted. The project includes work for 328 micro irrigation tanks, 50 micro storage tanks, and 48 check dams in various river basins.
Canal Top Solar Plant
Technological Innovation
In order to reduce water loss and to promote solar energy, a 2 MW solar photovoltaic power plant has been approved to be constructed in Hanumangarh’s Mainawali village. It is likely to generate 24 Lakhs units of electricity every year. The cost incurred in the power plant is INR 26 Crores, out of which INR 7.8 Crores has been provided by the central government.
Other Achievements
• 114 assistant engineers, 994 junior engineers, and 298 deceased dependants were recruited for various projects in these 4 years, while recruitment of 65 families is in progress.
• Under the RRR scheme, 25 projects have been accomplished while 7 are in progress. Besides, 36 projects worth INR 96 Crores have been sent to the central government, which are yet to be approved.
• In order to prepare large, medium, and small irrigation projects in 25 districts, a scheme worth INR 3,461 Crores has been sent to the Central government under the RWLIPP Project.
• Administrative and financial sanction of 34 projects has been issued for INR 1069.40 Crores, out of which tenders for 30 projects have been invited.
