Silt will be removed from the 125-year-old Sayaji Sarovar here and used to increase the fertility of farm lands in surrounding areas, civic officials said today.
"The work of deepening Sayaji Sarovar (also known as Ajwa lake) on the city outskirts has been started by the State Irrigation Department in association with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC)," VMC Standing Committee chairman Hitendra Patel said.
"The reservoir will be deepened by 1.5 meter and the desilted soil will be given to farmers free of charge, which will help increasing the fertility of their lands," added Patel.
Some soil will be used for construction work of embankments of the reservoir, said Patel.
Gujarat Finance and Energy minister Saurabh Patel said the state government has allocated Rs 20 crore for the ancient reservoir development work.
"The state government has earmarked Rs 20 crore in its 2015-16 budget for development work in the reservoir. With an increase of capacity of the reservoir, this work will prove important for flood mitigation," said Patel.
Sayaji reservoir was built in 1891 by then ruler of erstwhile princely state of Vadodara Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad -III.
The dam is about 5-km long and is connected with river Vishwamitri, which flows through the city of Vadodara.
In 2003, the dam was found damaged by rats that had made holes in it.
In 2014, heavy rain led to over flooding and water entered in several low lying areas in the city and also caused heavy damages to the property.
Chief engineer of the State Irrigation Department R G Bhatt said the deepening work of the reservoir will continue till May 31.
