Udaipur, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Udaipur is poised to receive approximately 1,000 million cubic feet (MCF) of additional water annually. This increase will come after the completion of phases three and four of the Devash project, significantly strengthening the city’s drinking water supply and helping maintain water levels in the Pichola and Fatehsagar lakes.
The availability of extra water is expected to enhance tourism, eco-tourism, and related economic activities in the region. The ongoing construction of dams and tunnels under phases three and four aims to bolster Udaipur’s long-term water security.
This inter-basin water transfer project redirects water from the Sabarmati basin, which typically flows into the Arabian Sea, towards the Banas basin, integrating it into Udaipur’s water supply system.
Under the Devash-4 project, a dam with a capacity of 390 MCF is being built near Ambawa village in Gogunda tehsil, along with a 4.15-kilometer-long tunnel. Water from this dam will be routed to the Devash-3 project. Similarly, the Devash-3 dam, with a capacity of 703 MCF, is being constructed near Nathiathal village. Water from this dam will travel through a 10.50-kilometer tunnel to the existing Devash-2 (Akodra dam) and will be released into Pichola Lake as needed.
Once both phases are completed, Udaipur will benefit from an additional 1,000 MCF of water each year. This extra supply will not only meet the city’s growing drinking water needs but also help maintain the water levels of Pichola and Fatehsagar lakes.
The government believes this initiative will enhance the city’s water security and stimulate economic activities linked to tourism and eco-tourism. In line with state government directives, measures are also being taken to rehabilitate families affected by the project. These families will receive residential plots and essential infrastructure in nearby areas, ensuring their safe and dignified resettlement.
The first phase of the Devash project was initiated in 1974 with the aim of strengthening Udaipur’s water security. The second phase was completed in 2015, establishing a gravity-based system to transport water to Pichola Lake through the Akodra dam and a network of tunnels.
The ongoing Devash-3 and Devash-4 projects are critical components of this long-term water security plan. Their completion is expected to significantly enhance Udaipur’s drinking water management and its capacity to address future water crises.
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