CM to lay foundation of SAUNI Yojana pipeline for connecting dams of Rajkot and Surendranagar districts to Narmada dam

An official release said the pipeline will be laid at a cost of Rs 181 crore as part of package-9 of Link IV pipeline canal of SAUNI Yojana. The feeder line will be given a tapping in the main line of Link IV at Asalpar. One pumping station each will be set up at Asalpar and Dharai dam of Chotila taluka. From Dharai dam, while one branch of the pipeline will go towards Alansagar dam near Jasdan town, the other will go towards Adhiya.

“The pipeline of this project will be laid in one of the most challenging geographies of the  Saurashtra region. It will pass through the highest points of the Saurashtra region and we will have to cut through hard rock at many stretches to dig a trench for pipeline while our pumping stations will have to battle gravity to pump Narmada water to the intended MISs and percolation tanks,” said Nitin Chaun, executive engineer of Rajkot irrigation (projects) circle.

Incidentally, major rivers like Bhadar and Goma originate from these hilly talukas where irrigation water is scarce and there are no major irrigation dams. Connecting the minor dams and ponds with the network of Narmada dam project through SAUNI Yojana is expected to augment irrigation facilities in 5,676 acres in these three talukas and drinking water availability to around 45,000 people living in 23 villages.