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Gujarat's Rs 285 Crore Methala Bandhara to Irrigate 10 Villages, Fight Salinity

The Gujarat government has granted administrative approval for the Rs 285 crore Methala bandhara project in Bhavnagar district. The project aims to provide irrigation to about 6,550 hectares of farmland across 10 villages by storing 655 million cubic feet of rainwater. A key benefit is controlling salinity intrusion from the sea, protecting agricultural land and recharging groundwater. The project, which required a land swap for forest clearance, is expected to be completed in approximately two years.

Key Points: Gujarat Approves Methala Bandhara Project for Irrigation, Salinity Control

  • Rs 285 crore administrative approval
  • Irrigation for 6,550 hectares in 10 villages
  • Controls seawater salinity intrusion
  • Recharges groundwater and raises water levels
  • Expected completion in two years
2 min read

Gujarat: Methala bandhara project cleared, irrigation benefit planned for 10 villages

Gujarat govt clears Rs 285 crore Methala bandhara project in Bhavnagar to irrigate 6,550 hectares, control salinity, and recharge groundwater for 10 villages.

"This project will prove to be like a blessing for farmers in the area. - Ishwarsinh Patel"

Gandhinagar/Bhavnagar, Match 12 The Gujarat government has granted administrative approval of Rs 285 crore for the long-pending Methala bandhara project in Bhavnagar district, a scheme expected to provide irrigation to about 6,550 hectares of land across 10 villages while helping control salinity intrusion in the coastal region.

Water Resources Minister Ishwarsinh Patel said the approval had been given for the Methala Bandhara scheme in Talaja taluka and described the project as important for addressing salinity in the area.

"The long-pending Methala Bandhara scheme is very important for salinity control in this region," he said.

Patel said the project would enable storage of an estimated 655 million cubic feet of rainwater, which would provide irrigation facilities to around 6,550 hectares of farmland across 10 villages.

He said the scheme would also help recharge groundwater and raise water levels in wells and borewells in the surrounding areas.

"The bandhara (check dam/barrier) will also help stop seawater from advancing further inland, which will prevent the increase in salinity in the region. This project will prove to be like a blessing for farmers in the area," the minister said.

He added that the project is expected to be completed in about two years after the tendering process is finalised.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the government had found a solution to the long-pending issue related to the project, which involved forest land.

"The Methala bandhara is planned on the Bagad river near Methala village in Talaja taluka of Bhavnagar district, where 598.2427 hectares of forest land would be submerged, and as part of the approval process an equivalent area of non-forest land at Monpur village in Vallabhipur taluka has been allocated to the Forest Department in exchange," Modhwadia said.

He said the land provided to the Forest Department is located near Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar, which could make it useful as a habitat area for blackbuck and other wildlife species.

The minister added that the central government had granted in-principle approval for the project on March 15, 2024 as part of the required forest clearance process.

Modhwadia said the state government's decision would benefit farmers and residents of the surrounding villages once the project becomes operational.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the irrigation benefits are clear, I appreciate that they've addressed the forest land issue by allocating equivalent non-forest land near Velavadar. Protecting wildlife corridors, especially for blackbuck, is crucial. Hope the environmental safeguards are strictly monitored during construction.
A
Arjun K
Rs 285 crore is a significant investment. My only concern is the two-year timeline after tendering. In my experience, such projects often get delayed, leaving farmers in limbo. The government must ensure strict project management. The benefits for 10 villages are massive if executed well.
P
Priya S
Groundwater recharge is the unsung hero of this project. In these drought-prone areas, raising the water table is sometimes more valuable than surface irrigation. This could be a model for other coastal districts in Saurashtra. Well done to the authorities for getting the forest clearance sorted.
V
Vikram M
Long-pending project finally seeing light! Our farmers have waited too long. Controlling seawater intrusion is a game-changer. Hope the local villagers are also involved in the planning and get employment during the construction phase. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan!
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: The article mentions the land exchange for the forest area, but it's silent on the impact on the people of Monpur village whose land has been allocated. Were they consulted and compensated fairly? Development is good, but it shouldn't come at the cost of displacing one community for another.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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