Saputara to get Rs 10 cr state aid to set up dam, upgrade facilities

Saputara, the lone hill station in Gujarat located in the Dangs district, is expected to get a Rs 10 crore state government aid to construct a dam and upgrade infrastructure at the Saputara lake.

The state government has already allotted around Rs 3 crore to the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) for this. The corporation is awaiting for the remaining funds in the next financial year.

"The Saputara lake will become a major source of revenue for the state government after the development of the infrastructure. At present we generate around Rs 6 lakh, while we expect to generate over Rs 50 lakh per annum only from boating after the development work," said Dansinh Kathiya, manager, TCGL.

TCGL's Saputara property is the only profit-making unit of the corporation. The corporation had posted a turnover of Rs 94 lakh and a profit of Rs 36 lakh in the financial year 2003-2004. With the investment, the corporation plans to double its turnover in the next two years.

The Saputara lake, popularly known as 'Sarp Ganga', falls under the notified area of the state government, while TCGL plans to take up the possession of the lake and develop infrastructure facilities.

This includes increasing the depth of the lake, circumscribe the lake with a track and a garden, building a jetty for boating facilities, new peddle boats and lighting and decorating the lake among others.

The first phase of the work to increase the depth of the lake has already started and is expected to be over before the monsoons this year. The second phase of the work will start after the monsoons and is expected to be completed within a year.

The corporation plans to build a dam with an investment of over Rs 7 crore between the Sunrise and Sunset hill points to promote adventure water sports.

The Centre for Planning Environment and Technology has been assigned to prepare the project report.

"The dam will help to promote water-related activities such as adventure water sports, boating among others and the water of Saputara can be used for drinking also. The purpose of the dam is to improve water levels at the lake during summer," Kathiya said.