Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Launches Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan – Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 Across Gujarat

Feb 2026 : A statewide mega water conservation campaign will be conducted across Gujarat from February 23 to May 31, with a target of deepening 10 ponds per taluka to enhance water storage and groundwater recharge.

Works such as deepening of existing ponds, desilting of check dams, repairs and cleaning of canals and streams, rainwater harvesting, and maintenance of water bodies will be undertaken through public participation by six state government departments.

Over the last eight years, the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan has completed more than 1.22 lakh works, increasing the state’s water storage capacity by 1.39 lakh lakh cubic feet and generating 21 crore man-days of employment.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan – Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 across Gujarat to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of “Catch the Rain.”

This large-scale water conservation drive will continue until May 31, 2026. Under the campaign, water harvesting infrastructure will be strengthened, groundwater levels will be raised, and rainwater storage works will be implemented, including the deepening of 10 ponds in every taluka.

For this purpose, departments including Water Resources, Water Supply, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, Rural Development, Forest and Environment, and Urban Development will jointly carry out water conservation works across all districts with people’s participation.

The works include deepening of existing ponds, desilting of check dams, desilting of reservoirs and rivers, repair of damaged check dams, repair, maintenance and cleaning of canals and streams, rainwater harvesting systems, farm ponds, earthen bunds, terrace and forest ponds, cleaning of drinking water sources, tanks and intake structures, repair of pond waste weirs, and removal of obstructions such as invasive vegetation from river flows.

The Chief Minister inaugurated this year’s campaign by initiating the pond-deepening work at Bhatt village in Gandhinagar district. Once deepened, the pond’s total storage capacity will increase to 2.01 lakh cubic feet.

The Gujarat government has been implementing this flagship campaign annually since 2018. Between 2018 and 2025, a total of 1,22,299 works were completed, including 39,542 pond-deepening projects, 26,544 check dam desilting works, and cleaning of 82,240 km of canals and streams.

As a result, Gujarat’s total water storage capacity increased by 1,39,959 lakh cubic feet, while 21 crore man-days of employment were generated.

On the occasion, Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel, MP Hasmukhbhai Patel, MLA Alpeshbhai Thakor, Ritaben Patel, Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, Standing Committee Chairman Gaurangbhai, City BJP President Ashish Dave, Water Resources Secretary P.C. Vyas, Additional Secretary M.D. Patel, Gandhinagar Municipal Commissioner Waghela, senior officials, and local residents were present.