Narmada waters will reach Kutch

Narmada waters will reach Kutch

News: Recently, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has led the foundation stone and inaugurated the Narmada canal that will bring water to Kutch from the Narmada Sarovar dam in south Gujarat.

Significance of the move:
• In recent years, Kutch has focused on agriculture and has emerged as the State’s largest region for horticulture, and with the Narmada’s water reaching in the district, farmers could benefit by growing fruits and vegetables.
• Kutch holds India’s one of the first commercial milk production brands. Hence, water supplies will increase feedstock production and animal rearing plants.
• It will help build the aspirations of people living in Kutch who are deprived of water due to lesser rains, high temperature. The poor people and women will stand to benefit the most.
• This project will cover Saurashtra, Kachchh as well as parts of North Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Panchmahal).

Why is Kutch important?
• After the earthquake, the Gujarat government had focused on the Kutch district, which was then known as “very backward” but the government’s efforts led to massive industrial development across the district.
• In way of development in the Kutch region and water scare region, the growth and irrigation models are now built. Narmada canal is one among this initiative of the State government.
• Kutch houses Asia’s first Special economic zone (SEZ) at Mundra.
•  Kandla and Mundra ports handle 30% of India’s cargo, and the district produces 30% of the country’s salt.
• Kutch produces 2,500 MW of power from solar and wind energy.
• The district is known for its cement plants, textile plants and stood second in the world in welding pipe manufacturing.

About Sardar Sarovar Project:
• The Sardar Sarovar Project is one of the largest water resources projects of India covering four major states – Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Rajasthan.
• The dam’s spillway discharging capacity (30.7 lakhs cusecs) would be the third highest in the world.
• The Narmada Main Canal would be the largest irrigation canal in the world.