Gujarat Approves ₹581 Crore Fish Scale Weir Dam on Banas River; 100 Villages to Benefit
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Gujarat government has granted in-principle approval for a ₹581-crore ‘Fish Scale Weir’ dam on the Banas River near Mahadeviya village in Banaskantha district, aiming to strengthen groundwater reserves, support agriculture and promote tourism in the region.
The proposed project will harvest surplus river water and improve groundwater recharge in the drought-prone areas of Deesa and Kankrej talukas. Designed in technical collaboration with IIT Roorkee, the structure will use a specialised stepped-weir system instead of the multiple conventional check dams considered under earlier plans.
Seven-Tier Structure to Retain Water From Upstream Dams
The proposed dam will span 500 metres across the river and feature seven large tiers to retain water released from the upstream Dantiwada and Sipu dams.
The project also includes a 4.8-kilometre embankment along the northern bank. This will help create a reservoir extending 2.72 kilometres upstream.
The stepped design is intended to make better use of the Banas River's wide riverbed while storing surplus water for groundwater recharge.
100 Villages in Deesa and Kankrej to Benefit
The project is expected to directly benefit 100 villages across Banaskantha district, including 70 villages in Deesa taluka and 30 in Kankrej taluka.
Improved water availability is expected to support agricultural requirements and raise groundwater levels in the region, which faces recurring water scarcity.
Project Targeted for Completion by 2029
The estimated cost of the project is ₹581 crore, and the government has set 2029 as the target for its completion.
Final design work is currently underway. Once implemented, the project is expected to strengthen regional water management while creating potential for tourism around the reservoir.
