Ahmedabad: In a boost to water security across several districts in north Gujarat, the state govt will construct 12 new barrages along the Sabarmati River. The Rs 2,566-crore project aims to rejuvenate the river while ensuring year-round water availability for irrigation, drinking, and groundwater recharge. The barrages will be built along the 148-km stretch from Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district to Vasna Barrage in Ahmedabad city.
Barrages typically consist of a series of gates or spillways that can be opened or closed to control water flow. Unlike high dams, barrages generally create a smaller environmental impact, say officials. “These barrages will serve multiple purposes including irrigation, drinking water supply, preventing groundwater depletion, and restoring local ecology,” said P C Vyas, secretary of water resources. “Several cities including Satlasana, Idar, Vijapur, Mansa, Prantij, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad, along with numerous villages, will benefit directly,” he said.
Construction already began on four sites, while detailed surveying and administrative work continues for the remaining eight structures. Six of the proposed barrages, estimated to cost Rs 1,500 crore, will be constructed in Mehsana district at Chhelpura, Techava, Fudeda, Falu, and Ged, while one will be built in Gandhinagar district at Rajpur. Additionally, a rubber barrage is planned at Acher in Ahmedabad.
Union home minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah recently laid the foundation stone for a barrage in Ambod, Gandhinagar on Jan 14, highlighting the strategic importance of the project. A Rs 55-crore rubber weir featuring a cantilever bridge is also under construction within Ahmedabad city limits.
Officials expect the project to significantly improve groundwater levels in villages along the river while ensuring surface water retention until Feb each year — a substantial improvement from the current situation where the river typically dries up by Oct-Nov. The comprehensive barrage system is expected to be completed within three years.
BOX 1
Construction going on at four sites
– The project will cover a 148-km stretch from Dharoi Dam to Vasna Barrage
– Construction has already begun at four sites; the remaining eight are in planning stages
– Six barrages will be built in Mehsana district
– One barrage will be constructed in Gandhinagar district
– A Rs 55-crore rubber weir with a cantilever bridge is under construction in Ahmedabad city
– The entire system is expected to be completed within three years
Ahmedabad: In a boost to water security across several districts in north Gujarat, the state govt will construct 12 new barrages along the Sabarmati River. The Rs 2,566-crore project aims to rejuvenate the river while ensuring year-round water availability for irrigation, drinking, and groundwater recharge. The barrages will be built along the 148-km stretch from Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district to Vasna Barrage in Ahmedabad city.
Barrages typically consist of a series of gates or spillways that can be opened or closed to control water flow. Unlike high dams, barrages generally create a smaller environmental impact, say officials. “These barrages will serve multiple purposes including irrigation, drinking water supply, preventing groundwater depletion, and restoring local ecology,” said P C Vyas, secretary of water resources. “Several cities including Satlasana, Idar, Vijapur, Mansa, Prantij, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad, along with numerous villages, will benefit directly,” he said.
Construction already began on four sites, while detailed surveying and administrative work continues for the remaining eight structures. Six of the proposed barrages, estimated to cost Rs 1,500 crore, will be constructed in Mehsana district at Chhelpura, Techava, Fudeda, Falu, and Ged, while one will be built in Gandhinagar district at Rajpur. Additionally, a rubber barrage is planned at Acher in Ahmedabad.
Union home minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah recently laid the foundation stone for a barrage in Ambod, Gandhinagar on Jan 14, highlighting the strategic importance of the project. A Rs 55-crore rubber weir featuring a cantilever bridge is also under construction within Ahmedabad city limits.
Officials expect the project to significantly improve groundwater levels in villages along the river while ensuring surface water retention until Feb each year — a substantial improvement from the current situation where the river typically dries up by Oct-Nov. The comprehensive barrage system is expected to be completed within three years.
BOX 1
Construction going on at four sites
– The project will cover a 148-km stretch from Dharoi Dam to Vasna Barrage
– Construction has already begun at four sites; the remaining eight are in planning stages
– Six barrages will be built in Mehsana district
– One barrage will be constructed in Gandhinagar district
– A Rs 55-crore rubber weir with a cantilever bridge is under construction in Ahmedabad city
– The entire system is expected to be completed within three years