The revival of the historic Lake Ramgar near Jaipur begins

document. |Photo source: Rohit Jain Paras

To revive the work of the historic Lake Ramgar near Jaipur, it was once the lifeline of water supply in the capital of Rajasthan. The water body 32 km from here has been dry since 2000, as many encroachments and obstacles in the catchment area have stopped the free flow of water to the Ramgarh Dam.

For alcohol consumption

Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat laid the foundation for repairs and beautification on the dam over the weekend, while noting that the water was brought from the Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal Link project. Water will be provided to the dam mainly for alcohol use.

The Eastern Canal Project in Rajasthan has been integrated with the Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal Link project and incorporated it into the National Perspective Plan of the Special Committee composed of River Linking. The memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the link project was signed between the governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on 17 December 2024.

As part of the link project, water has been provided for large and medium irrigation projects and dams in the project area based on technical and financial feasibility. It is proposed to implement Rs 253 crore worth of work in Ramgar Dam over the next 12 months.

Works that will be done on the dam before the water supply begins include repairing damaged roads on embankments, building railing walls, repairing damaged control room buildings and stairs towards the flooded area of ​​the dam and pitching stones on slopes.

Mr Rawat said the state government will remain unwavering in the recovery of Lake Ramgar and protect the dam’s heritage structure through constant monitoring. He asked the department officials to complete the works within a prescribed time frame while ensuring their quality.

Rao Rajendra Singh, a rural MP in Jaipur, was the one present at the time. In the past, villagers and farmers in the area have sat in silence several times to protect the dam catchment area. The agitation has been applied several times.

The state government has earlier identified and eliminated barriers and encroachment to 323.30 hectares of land near the dam. According to the instructions of the Rajasthan High Court, the Anicuts and the inspection dam were removed at a height of more than 2 meters, with a height of only 2 meters.

The former Jaipur ruler Sawai Ram Singh II built Ramgarh Lake in 1876, providing relief to the residents of the area. It is a major source of water supply in Jaipur City at one time and is also a popular picnic spot during the rainy season. The 1982 Asian Games boating event was held in Lake Ramgar.