Gujarat clears record 2.21 crore cubic metres of silt from dams, lakes in massive pre-monsoon drive

In a major pre-monsoon exercise aimed at boosting water storage capacity in Gujarat, the state government has removed more than 2.21 crore cubic metres of silt, soil and debris from dams, lakes, canals, and rivers over the past three years, exceeding its original target by nearly 10%.

Officials said the special campaign was launched to strengthen the state’s irrigation and water conservation infrastructure by desilting reservoirs and clearing obstructions affecting water flow and storage.

According to government data, the administration had initially planned to undertake earthwork involving removal of around 203 lakh cubic metres of soil and silt between 2022-23 and 2024-25.

However, authorities claimed that the actual work exceeded the target by nearly 10%, with a total of 221.37 lakh cubic metres of soil and silt removed from reservoirs and water bodies during the period.

The drive covered check dams, lakes, rivers, canals and other water storage structures across Gujarat.

Vegetation, bushes, and shrubs spread across nearly 4,223 kilometres around reservoirs and canal networks were also cleared as part of the campaign.

The work was carried out at 1,474 locations using between 88 and 96 heavy earth-moving machines deployed by government agencies.

According to officials, modern technology was used for desilting reservoirs, cleaning drainage systems, strengthening embankments and removing obstacles that could obstruct floodwater flow during the monsoon season.