CM Bhupendra Patel Virtually Gifts Development Projects Worth Over ₹1,600 Crore to Tapi District

Cabinet Minister Shri Naresh Patel, Minister of State Shri Ishwarsinh Patel, and Minister of State Dr. Jayram Gamit graces the event 

Gandhinagar, March 2026: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel  virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone from Gandhinagar for development projects worth approximately ₹1,600 crore in Tapi district for tribal areas, including the Ukai reservoir-based Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation schemes, as well as the Borisavar Yojana.
 
On this occasion, the Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always emphasised a saturation approach. During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, priority was given to the holistic development of tribal areas through the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana. The state government has also carried out result-oriented work for education, health, and connectivity of the tribal community. He emphasised that water is the main foundation of development. Today, through engineering expertise, water from the Ukai Dam is being delivered to hilly regions. The Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation schemes, along with the Borisavar lift irrigation scheme, will provide year-round water to thousands of farmers and enrich their agriculture.
 
At this program held at Babarghat in Uchhal taluka, the State Tribal Development Minister and Minister-in-charge of Tapi district, Shri Naresh Patel, stated that Tapi is akin to a lifeline for South Gujarat. Under the leadership of Chief Minister, the state government is firmly progressing on the path of development envisioned by Prime Minister. He added that the state government is committed to reaching every person through welfare schemes and infrastructure development. He also encouraged farmers to avail subsidies for drip irrigation along with the benefits of both lift irrigation schemes.
 
On this occasion, Minister of State for Water Resources and Water Supply Shri Ishwarsinh Patel provided details about Gujarat’s effective water management. He stated that the Ukai reservoir-based Songadh, Uchhal, and Nizar lift irrigation schemes, inaugurated at a cost of ₹962.12 crore by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, will provide irrigation benefits to 28,000 hectares of land across 136 villages in Songadh, Uchhal, Nizar, and Kukarmunda. Additionally, the Borisavar scheme, being implemented at a cost of ₹651.37 crore, will provide irrigation facilities to more than 8,000 hectares of land across 29 villages in Songadh and Vyara talukas.
 
Minister of State for Sports, Youth, and Tourism Dr. Jayram Gamit also appreciated the efforts of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister and the guidance of Prime Minister for the holistic development of tribal areas and communities.
 
During the program, attendees watched a short film showcasing the two newly launched major schemes and the vision of farmers’ prosperity. On this occasion, at Babarghat in Uchhal taluka, Ministers Shri Naresh Patel, Shri Ishwarsinh Patel, and Dr. Jayram Gamit ceremonially welcomed the waters of Tapi river at the event venue.
 
On this occasion, District Panchayat President Shri Jalamsinh Vasava, district leader Shri Suraj  Vasava, Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shri P.C. Vyas, District Collector Dr. Vipin Garg, MLA Shri Mohan Konkani, along with senior officials, office bearers, dignitaries, invitees, public representatives, administrative officers and staff, and a large number of villagers and farmers were present.
 
 Source: Information Department, Gujarat