Panchmahal/Dahod: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹1,100 crore in the eastern tribal districts of Panchmahal and Dahod. The initiatives aim to strengthen irrigation facilities, improve infrastructure, and enhance public services for tribal communities.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), 112 development projects worth ₹732 crore were dedicated in Panchmahal district, while over 1,200 projects valued at ₹367 crore were inaugurated and launched in Dahod district.
Major Lift Irrigation Project from Panam Reservoir
A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Panam reservoir-based lift irrigation pipeline scheme, costing ₹406 crore.
The project will provide water to 130 lakes across 79 villages in the talukas of Shahera, Godhra, Kalol, and Ghoghamba in Panchmahal district. The irrigation scheme will lift water from the Panam Reservoir, located 236 feet below, through a 205-kilometre pipeline network.
Once operational, the scheme is expected to irrigate nearly 86,000 hectares of agricultural land, providing significant relief to farmers in the region.
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Expanding Irrigation in Tribal Belt
During the event, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the importance of water for regional development. He noted that the state government has already provided irrigation facilities to 2.23 lakh acres of land in the tribal belt stretching from Ambaji to Umargam through 11 lift irrigation schemes worth ₹3,160 crore.
The Chief Minister also stated that Gujarat’s ₹4 lakh crore state budget for the year includes a ₹485 crore allocation for additional lift irrigation projects to expand water access in tribal regions.
Narmada-Based Irrigation to Benefit Farmers
The government also plans to supply irrigation water to 51,480 hectares of farmland across 18 talukas in Chhota Udepur, Dahod, and Panchmahal districts through Narmada-based lift irrigation systems connected to the Narmada River.
These projects are expected to strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure reliable water supply for farmers.
Development Works in Healthcare, Education, and Infrastructure
In addition to irrigation initiatives, the Chief Minister dedicated several projects related to healthcare, education, road infrastructure, and drinking water services across Panchmahal and Dahod districts.
Patel urged Dahod, which has been designated an Aspirational District under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to transform into an “inspirational district” that contributes to the vision of Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat.
Ministers and Public Representatives Present
The event was attended by several political leaders and officials, including Arjun Modhwadia, Ramesh Katara, MPs PC Baranda, Rajpalsinh Jadav, Jasvantsinh Bhabhor, and Rajya Sabha MP Jasvantsinh Parmar, along with MLAs, district collectors, senior administrative officials, and members of local tribal communities.
