Rajkot: Gujarat is taking a major step toward sustainable urban development under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The state aims to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by implementing cutting-edge technology to monitor and improve lake health and air quality across cities.
‘Lake and Air Watch’ Initiative: Real-Time Monitoring for Cleaner Cities
The Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, has announced the launch of the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative. The project will integrate monitoring systems across departments to enable coordinated, real-time action on lake pollution, declining water quality, and deteriorating air quality caused by rapid urbanisation.
With an estimated budget of ₹10 crore, the initiative focuses on environmental protection and building future-ready, sustainable cities.
Smart Technology to Monitor Lake Health
Urban lakes in Gujarat are facing challenges such as pollution, siltation, and reduced water quality. Using satellite technology, the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative will track:
- Lake area changes
- Presence of waste and algae growth
Based on this data, timely alerts will be issued to relevant authorities, enabling immediate conservation measures to protect and restore urban lakes.
Air Quality Monitoring Across Cities
The initiative will install air quality monitoring stations in 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipal areas. These stations will provide real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data. Automatic alerts will notify authorities when AQI levels rise, helping departments take prompt corrective action to improve urban air conditions.
Centralized Dashboard for Integrated Urban Management
GUDM will consolidate lake health and air quality data into a state-level central dashboard, providing:
- Maps and trends
- Alerts for high-risk conditions
- Operational status across departments
This integrated platform will enable better inter-departmental coordination, timely interventions, and transparent information sharing with citizens, raising public awareness and engagement.
Boosting Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development
By combining satellite monitoring, real-time alerts, and digital dashboards, the ‘Lake and Air Watch’ initiative is set to improve environmental conditions, enhance urban quality of life, and strengthen climate resilience across Gujarat. It marks a significant step toward creating smart, sustainable, and livable cities in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
