Gujarat Clears Rs.1,331 Crore Irrigation Project for Tribal Valsad

GANDHINAGAR: Water scarcity has long restricted farming in South Gujarat’s tribal highlands. Now, a ₹1,331.30 crore irrigation project aims to bring relief to thousands of farmers in Valsad district by lifting water from the Daman-Ganga reservoir to higher-altitude villages.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has granted administrative approval to the Daman-Ganga Lift Irrigation Project. The scheme aims to provide irrigation to 17,000 hectares of farmland across Kaprada and Dharampur talukas.

The project has reached the final stages before commencement, according to the state government.

46 Villages to Benefit

The project will cover 46 villages across the two talukas. It aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on groundwater and improve access to water during critical stages of crop growth.

The state government expects the scheme to expand multi-crop farming and support rural livelihoods. It will draw surplus water from the Madhuban Reservoir and pump it across difficult terrain to reach farms that existing canal networks cannot serve.

The government has pursued the project through its Narmada Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpsar Department.

53-Km Main Pipeline Planned

The engineering plan includes a 53-km main pipeline and more than 188 km of branch and feeder lines. The network will overcome a major elevation difference, carrying water from 65 metres to 382 metres above mean sea level.

Three pumping stations will lift and distribute the water. The first station will be built near Fatehpura village, close to the Madhuban Dam. Two more stations are planned at Burvad and near Kistoniya.

Together, the pumping system will have a capacity of 56,400 kilowatts, or 75,600 horsepower.

Break pressure tanks near Kaprada will regulate pressure and help water flow through downstream networks by gravity.

Village Ponds and Check Dams to Store Water

The system will operate at a capacity of 500 cusecs. Water will be supplied on a 15-day rotational cycle across two zones during a planned 100-day annual operating period.

Zone 1 will serve 28 villages in Kaprada, with a peak demand of 320 cusecs. Zone 2 will cover 17 villages across Kaprada and Dharampur, with an allocation of 180 cusecs.

Instead of sending all the water directly to individual fields, the project will channel it into 26 village ponds and 81 check dams. These water bodies are expected to improve water storage and support groundwater recharge.

The scheme also provides for a dedicated discharge of 1.5 cusecs into the Kangvi River near Barumal village.

SCADA System to Monitor Water Supply

The project will use a central Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. It will monitor water flow and pressure in real time.

The detailed project report estimates an annual water requirement of 122.33 million cubic metres. It states that the Madhuban Reservoir has adequate live storage to meet this demand without affecting existing domestic and regional allocations.

Once operational, the project is expected to improve irrigation access, support crop diversification and strengthen agricultural activity in Valsad’s tribal belt.