The Excavation for Railway led to the development of the Largest Pond
Significant Efforts in Water Conservation being made in Dhamtari District; Grand Water Awareness Festival Underway
Raipur, 01 October 2024/ Once prone to severe drought conditions, Dhamtari district now boasts Chhattisgarh’s largest Amrit Sarovar, which remains filled to its capacity throughout the year. The Amrit Sarovar, constructed in Kanharpuri village, has earned the distinction of being the state’s largest Amrit Sarovar. The unique aspect of this project is that the revenue generated for the local Panchayat has surpassed the cost incurred in constructing the pond. This initiative became a reality through efficient use of resources and proactive administrative efforts, aligning with the Central Government’s focus on water conservation under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership. The 9-acre pond not only addresses the water requirements of the villagers but also irrigates 50 acres of agricultural land in the area. Furthermore, the soil and laterite excavated from this pond served as a foundational material for the railway tracks.
It is noteworthy that South East Central Railway is currently undertaking the construction of a broad-gauge railway line between Raipur and Dhamtari. During the project, the requirement for soil and laterite arose, which the district administration decided to meet from the Kanharpuri village under Kurud block. At the time, the village’s Mura pond was scheduled for deepening under MGNREGA with an allocated budget of Rs 9.31 lakhs. The district administration facilitated an agreement between the Railway Board and local Panchayat representatives, permitting the railway to extract soil and laterite from the Mura pond. Consequently, the pond’s area expanded from 6 acres to 9 acres. Prior to deepening, the water retention capacity of Mura pond was 32,400 cubic meters, which has now increased to 57,800 cubic meters. The depth, which was previously around 10 feet, now measures approximately 15 feet. It is reported that the deepening process also reactivated several closed underground water sources, leading to a consistent recharge of groundwater into the pond.
Royalty of Rs 12 Lakhs to be provided for Soil Extraction by Railways
The Railway Board has agreed to pay a royalty of approximately Rs 12.20 lakhs to the Panchayat in exchange for soil and laterite extracted from Kanharpuri for laying the railway line. The Panchayat plans to utilize these funds for other developmental projects in the village.
121 Amrit Sarovars Completed, Development of 19 Underway in the District
The ponds in Dhamtari district are being transformed into Amrit Sarovars, with ongoing efforts to enhance their water retention capacity through deepening. Additionally, 8 new Amrit Sarovars are being constructed based on local requirements. In total, 121 Amrit Sarovars have been proposed for the district, of which 102 have been completed, while work on the remaining 19 is in progress. A block-wise breakdown reveals that 25 Amrit Sarovars are in Dhamtari block, 38 in Kurud block, 29 in Magarlod block, and 29 in Nagri block.
Rudrabhishek with Water from 108 Amrit Sarovars
An international water conference is scheduled on October 5th and 6th at the banks of Ravi Shankar Reservoir in Dhamtari, titled as the Jal-Jagar Maha-Utsav. A significant event during the festival will be the Rudrabhishek, performed with water collected from 108 Amrit Sarovars, symbolizing the region’s commitment to water conservation and the rejuvenation of water bodies.
