Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma orders fast-track Dewas Project, Udaipur blueprint
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday, 6 May chaired a high-level district review meeting at the District Council Auditorium in Udaipur, directing officials to prepare a comprehensive, future-oriented development blueprint for the city, factoring in projected population growth and evolving urban requirements. The Chief Minister's directives spanned road infrastructure, water supply, traffic management, cleanliness, and the long-pending Dewas Project.
Dewas Project Gets Urgent Push
Sharma placed special emphasis on the Dewas Project, ordering officials to expedite its execution without further delay. He noted that completion of the project's third and fourth phases would permanently resolve water shortages in Udaipur's iconic lakes — a critical concern for both residents and the city's tourism economy. The project has long been seen as central to the city's long-term water security.
Urban Development: Roads, Ring Road and Sewerage
The Chief Minister instructed the Udaipur Development Authority (UDA) and the Municipal Corporation to formulate a special action plan covering development possibilities within a 25–30 km radius of the city. He called for accelerated progress on the city's Ring Road project and directed all departments to complete ongoing development works before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent public inconvenience. Sewerage and pipeline projects were flagged as top priorities.
Tourism, Cleanliness and Smart Traffic
Highlighting Udaipur's standing as Rajasthan's premier tourist destination, Sharma stressed the need for structured urban planning to protect and enhance the city's appeal. He praised the AI-based traffic control system deployed at the Fatehpura intersection and directed that it be replicated at other major junctions across the city. On sanitation, he called for a focused action plan to improve Udaipur's cleanliness rankings and urged active collaboration among institutions, industrial bodies, and citizens.
Accountability and Gram Rath Yatra
Reiterating the principle of public accountability, Sharma stated that public servants are answerable to citizens and must maintain complete transparency in welfare works. He directed officials to incorporate suggestions from elected public representatives during the planning and execution of development schemes. Referring to the ongoing 'Gram Rath Yatra' campaign — aimed at spreading awareness about the functioning of 13 government departments — he directed that Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) and Tehsildars remain present during all outreach programmes to engage directly with the public.
Key Officials and Elected Representatives Present
The meeting saw presentations from officials across departments including Water Resources, Power Transmission, Public Works, Medical and Health, and Water Supply. Divisional Commissioner Pragya Kewalramani briefed the Chief Minister on the administrative status of the division. UDA Commissioner and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Abhishek Khanna shared updates on urban development works, while Superintendent of Police Dr Amrita Duhan presented a report on traffic management measures. Elected representatives present included Rajya Sabha member Chunnilal Garasiya, Lok Sabha member C.P. Joshi, and MLAs Tarachand Jain, Phool Singh Meena, Shanta Devi, and Pratap Gameti. The meeting signals a concerted administrative push to transform Udaipur into a model urban centre ahead of the monsoon and beyond.