File photo of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel.
Announcing relief measures for the partially drought-hit Kutch district, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today approved a pilot project of Lakhpat-Abdasa re-modeling water supply scheme, which will cost Rs 345 crore.
The scheme is being undertaken specifically for livestock and people, the release said.
The livestock in these two westernmost 'tehsils' of the state number three times the human population there.
The project involves construction of a 1,100 km-long pipeline, three water treatment plants, 180 underground pumps and 29 overhead tanks. It is aimed at increasing milk production in the region.
Speaking at a function, the Chief Minister gave details of the proposed Rs 3,559-crore and 357-km long Kutch Branch Canal project. It involves construction of three pumping stations at the cost of Rs 515 crore to lift water by 55.3 metres and to carry it from the Narmada Main Canal to Rapar and Bhachau, said the release.
Canal construction works costing Rs 1,427-crore were completed and that work worth another Rs 1,422-crore was nearing completion, the Chief Minister said.
The Kutch Branch Canal project is meant to provide drinking water to eight towns and 886 villages and irrigate 1,12,778 hectares of land across 128 villages in seven 'tehsils' of the district.