Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal launches Vande Ganga water campaign at Bisalpur Dam
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma made history as the first chief minister to inspect Bisalpur Dam's SCADA system, launching a 12-day statewide water conservation drive on Ganga Dashami. With groundwater stress mounting across the state, the Vande Ganga campaign mobilises MLAs, MPs and village communities — but execution at the grassroots will determine whether it moves beyond ritual.
Key Takeaways
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched the Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan-Jan Abhiyan - 2026 from Bisalpur Dam, Tonk on 25 May 2026 .
The statewide campaign runs from 25 May to 5 June 2026 , covering conservation and awareness activities down to the village level.
Sharma became the first Chief Minister of Rajasthan to inspect Bisalpur Dam's SCADA system .
He directed officials to develop new infrastructure at Bisalpur and recharge the Banas River for groundwater replenishment.
An aerial survey of Isarda Dam was also conducted to review irrigation and water management progress.
Campaign activities include Shramdaan , Jal Chaupal forums, Prabhat Pheri rallies, plantation drives and cleaning of water bodies across Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday, 25 May 2026 launched the 'Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan-Jan Abhiyan - 2026' from Bisalpur Dam in Tonk district, coinciding with the occasion of Ganga Dashami. The statewide water conservation campaign will run until 5 June 2026, covering awareness and conservation activities down to the village level across Rajasthan.
Launch Ceremony and Rituals
Chief Minister Sharma performed Jal Pujan at Bisalpur Dam amid Vedic chants, praying for abundant rainfall across the state. He subsequently visited the Bisaldev Mahadev Temple, offering prayers for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of Rajasthan's people.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma noted that Ganga Dashami commemorates the descent of the Ganga to Earth through the penance of sages, making the river a life-giver for humanity. He recalled that last year's campaign had undertaken conservation and cleaning initiatives at dams, ponds, lakes and anicuts across the state, and announced the relaunch of the drive this year.
Key Developments at Bisalpur Dam
Chief Minister Sharma became the first Chief Minister of Rajasthan to visit Bisalpur Dam and conduct a detailed inspection of its SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system — an industrial automation and control network used to remotely monitor, manage and automate dam operations. Water Resources Chief Engineer Bhuvan Bhaskar presented details of the system through a video presentation during the visit.
Sharma noted that Bisalpur Dam remains a critical source of uninterrupted drinking water for districts in eastern Rajasthan. He directed officials to develop new infrastructure around the dam and stressed the need for effective measures to recharge the Banas River to strengthen rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment. He also instructed officials to construct additional anicuts and install gates wherever required.
Following the Bisalpur inspection, the Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of Isarda Dam to review progress on water conservation, management and irrigation works. Officials informed him that the feeder channel of the Ramjal Setu Link Project passes through the Isarda, Galwa and Bandh Baretha dams.
Campaign Activities Across Rajasthan
Under the Vande Ganga initiative, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly and other public representatives will participate in water conservation programmes statewide. Activities planned include cleaning of wells, stepwells, ponds and other water bodies; Shramdaan (voluntary labour); Jal Chaupal community forums; Prabhat Pheri morning awareness rallies; plantation drives; and public awareness sessions in villages.
Several government departments will also lay foundation stones for new water conservation projects and inaugurate completed works during the campaign period.
Officials Present
Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal, MLAs Rajendra Gurjar, Shatrughan Gautam and Ramsahay Verma, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources) Abhay Kumar, along with other public representatives, officials and local residents, were present at the launch.
The campaign's closing date of 5 June aligns with World Environment Day, lending the drive additional symbolic weight. With Rajasthan's groundwater table under persistent stress, the success of village-level mobilisation over the next 12 days will be closely watched.
Point of View
And annual awareness campaigns have not reversed the trend. The first-ever CM inspection of Bisalpur's SCADA system is a positive signal on infrastructure oversight, but the harder ask — sustained inter-departmental coordination on the Banas recharge plan and the Ramjal Setu Link Project — rarely survives the campaign calendar. The 5 June end date, coinciding with World Environment Day, ensures media visibility; whether village-level Shramdaan translates into measurable water table improvement is the question that will outlast the headlines.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan-Jan Abhiyan 2026?
It is a statewide water conservation and public awareness campaign launched by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on 25 May 2026 from Bisalpur Dam in Tonk. The drive runs until 5 June 2026 and includes activities such as cleaning of water bodies, community forums, plantation drives and Shramdaan across villages in Rajasthan.
Why was Bisalpur Dam chosen for the launch?
Bisalpur Dam is described as a crucial source of uninterrupted drinking water for districts in eastern Rajasthan, making it symbolically and practically significant for a water conservation campaign. The launch also marked the first-ever inspection of the dam's SCADA system by a sitting Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
What is the SCADA system at Bisalpur Dam?
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition — an industrial automation and control network used to remotely monitor, manage and automate dam operations. Chief Minister Sharma reviewed the system through a video presentation by Water Resources Chief Engineer Bhuvan Bhaskar during his visit on 25 May 2026.
Who will participate in the Vande Ganga campaign?
Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly and other public representatives across Rajasthan will participate in water conservation programmes under the campaign. Village-level activities will also involve local residents through Shramdaan, Jal Chaupal forums and Prabhat Pheri rallies.
What instructions did CM Sharma give to officials at Bisalpur?
Sharma directed officials to develop new infrastructure around Bisalpur Dam, implement measures to recharge the Banas River for groundwater replenishment, and construct additional anicuts with gates where needed. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive, long-term action plan to maximise rainwater storage across the state.
