Rs 349 Crore Weir on Mahi River to Boost Irrigation for 29,000 Acres in Gujarat
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Gandhinagar/Vadodara, March 14 (NationPress) The development of a weir on the Mahi river at Poicha village in Vadodara district is progressing, with an estimated investment of Rs 349 crore. This project will offer irrigation support to nearly 29,000 acres of agricultural land, as announced by the state government in the Assembly on Saturday.
In response to a query from a legislator, Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel explained that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance water conservation and increase irrigation coverage, while also improving groundwater levels.
Minister Patel mentioned that these efforts are part of the government’s overarching plan, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, to bolster water storage facilities and enhance irrigation capabilities throughout the state.
“The construction of this weir will allow approximately 29,000 acres of land in the vicinity to benefit from irrigation, thereby elevating the groundwater level in the area,” the minister stated.
The planned weir will measure 67 metres in length and 11 metres in height, enabling water retention for up to 14 kilometres upstream once completed.
According to the minister, the water storage generated by the weir is anticipated to assist in groundwater recharge and fulfill irrigation requirements in the surrounding regions.
The advantages are set to extend to the districts of Vadodara, Kheda, and Anand.
The initiative aims to enhance water accessibility for agricultural practices and fortify water management frameworks along the Mahi river.
The government emphasized that this structure will facilitate water storage during periods of adequate flow, thereby aiding irrigation and groundwater recharge in adjacent areas.
Officials indicated that such water conservation structures are instrumental in mitigating seasonal water shortages and supporting agricultural operations in areas reliant on groundwater and canal irrigation systems.
The Poicha weir project is among the various measures being implemented to enhance water resources and stabilize irrigation in central Gujarat.