Tapi, Gujarat: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately Rs 1,600 crore in Tapi district on Monday, with a special focus on tribal areas. The projects include the Ukai reservoir-based Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation schemes, as well as the Borisavar Yojana, aimed at boosting water supply and agriculture in the region.
Focus on Tribal Development
Speaking from Gandhinagar, CM Bhupendra Patel emphasized the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for holistic tribal development. He said, “During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, priority was given to the holistic development of tribal areas through the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana. The state government has also carried out result-oriented work for education, health, and connectivity of the tribal community.”
He further highlighted the critical role of water in regional development, stating, “Through engineering expertise, water from the Ukai Dam is being delivered to hilly regions. The Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation schemes, along with the Borisavar lift irrigation scheme, will provide year-round water to thousands of farmers and enrich their agriculture.”
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Lift Irrigation Projects to Transform Agriculture
The programme was held at Babarghat in Uchhal taluka, where State Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel described Tapi as the “lifeline of South Gujarat.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing the development agenda envisioned by the Prime Minister and encouraged farmers to utilize subsidies for drip irrigation alongside the benefits of lift irrigation projects.
Minister of State for Water Resources Ishwarsinh Patel shared key details:
- The Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation projects, costing Rs 962.12 crore, will provide irrigation to 28,000 hectares across 136 villages in Songadh, Uchhal, Nizar, and Kukarmunda.
- The Borisavar scheme, implemented at Rs 651.37 crore, will serve over 8,000 hectares across 29 villages in Songadh and Vyara talukas.
Government Focus on Holistic Development
Minister of State for Sports, Youth, and Tourism Dr Jayram Gamit lauded the state government’s efforts under CM Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, emphasizing the focus on tribal welfare and prosperity.
Attendees also watched a short film highlighting the newly launched schemes and the state’s vision for improving farmers’ livelihoods.
