In Gandhinagar’s Bhat village, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel initiated Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan 2.0, a comprehensive rainwater harvesting crusade extending to May 2026, fulfilling PM Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ directive. This people-powered drive engages six vital departments to transform water scarcity into abundance statewide.
Focus areas include deepening 10 taluka ponds, elevating groundwater, and methodical rainwater capture. The agenda features lake and river desilting, check dam repairs, canal upkeep, farm and rooftop ponds, drinking source maintenance, and clearing encroachments like thorny shrubs from waterways.
The ceremonial lake deepening there amplified capacity by 2.01 lakh cubic feet, mirroring past triumphs. From 2018-2025, 122,299 interventions—39,542 pond deepenings, 26,544 desiltings, 82,240 km canal cleanings—boosted storage by 139,959 lakh cubic feet and generated 210 lakh man-days of work.
Attendees comprised Water Minister Ishwar Singh Patel, MPs, MLAs, Mayor Miraben Patel, and top bureaucrats, reflecting broad support. Amid global water stress, Gujarat’s sustained campaign exemplifies visionary governance, securing vital resources through innovation, participation, and persistence.