The Gujarat government has sanctioned Rs 285 crore for the Methala bandhara project in Bhavnagar district. This project aims to provide irrigation to 6,550 hectares of land across 10 villages and control salinity intrusion in the coastal region. Water Resources Minister Ishwarsinh Patel highlighted the significance of the scheme in addressing salinity issues in the area.
The Methala Bandhara scheme in Talaja taluka will store an estimated 655 million cubic feet of rainwater, benefiting farmland in 10 villages. Additionally, it will aid in groundwater recharge and raise water levels in wells and borewells in the vicinity. The check dam will also act as a barrier against seawater intrusion, preventing a rise in salinity levels and proving beneficial for local farmers.
The project, once the tendering process is finalized, is expected to be completed within two years. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia mentioned that the government has resolved the long-pending issue concerning forest land for the project. The Methala bandhara, planned near Methala village, will submerge 598.2427 hectares of forest land, with an equivalent non-forest land allocated in exchange in Vallabhipur taluka.
The land provided to the Forest Department near Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar could serve as a habitat for wildlife species. The central government has given in-principle approval for the project, facilitating the required forest clearance process. Minister Modhwadia emphasized that the state government’s decision will benefit farmers and residents of the surrounding villages upon the project’s completion.
