Reduce dependency on groundwater as well as Narmada water: Gujarat CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Monday stressed on the need for reducing dependency on water received from Narmada project as well as groundwater sources. During a review meeting held in Gandhinagar on Monday on water availability in the state, Rupani told officials to implement a system wherein treated or recycled water is used by industrial units, in agriculture, for gardening or to fill ponds in cities, said an official release.

"To reduce dependency on groundwater as well as Narmada water, the CM asked the administration to ensure the share of treated or recycled water reaches 75 per cent of total water supply in the next one to two years," the release said. During the meeting, discussions were also held about rejuvenating rivers through treated water, said the release. To achieve the target, Rupani asked officials to strictly implement the state government's 'Reuse of Treated Waste Water Policy', which was announced last year.

He suggested industrial units near cities be supplied with treated water instead of fresh water as far as possible. The meeting was called by the CM to review the water availability in all the major towns and cities of Gujarat. During the meeting, Rupani said the Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada canal network will ensure there won't be any problem in supplying drinking water till July end, by which time monsoon sets in, it said.

(With inputs from agencies.)