The Prime Minister has recently made waves in the news with the launch of the ‘Kisan Suryodaya Yojana’. This initiative is designed to provide daytime electricity to Gujarat farmers for irrigation and farming. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to also unveil a 2.3 km-long ropeway project on Mount Girnar, a significant pilgrimage site located within Junagadh city.
Understanding the Kisan Suryodaya Yojana
With a budget of Rs. 3,500 crore set aside for the next three years, the objective of the Kisan Suryodaya Yojana revolves around providing solar power to Indian farmers. This will be in service during daylight hours, specifically from 5 AM to 9 PM. The scheme involves laying about 3,500 circuit kilometers (CKM) of new transmission lines. For 2020-21, ten districts including Dahod, Gir-Somnath, and Tapi have been chosen under this scheme. All remaining districts will be incorporated in a phased approach by 2022-23.
The Significance of the Scheme
The potential benefits of the Kisan Suryodaya Yojana are manifold. It will promote the expansion of micro irrigation within the state. This process involves the regular application of small amounts of water directly to the soil surface. This is usually implemented through discrete drops, continuous drops, or tiny streams through emitters along a water delivery line.
This yojana, or public policy, complements the existing irrigation projects of the State, namely the Sujalam Sufalam and SAUNI (Saurashtra-Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) yojanas. Likewise, it will bolster central government initiatives like neem coating urea, Soil Health Cards, KUSUM Yojana, among others. In the race for solar power, India now holds the 5th position globally, and continues to make strides. The plan of ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ is a testament to this.
Emphasizing on the Kisan Suryodaya scheme, the Prime Minister has urged farmers to conserve water and adopt the mantra ‘per drop, more crop’. In line with this objective, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015. This is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at expanding areas with guaranteed irrigation, reducing water wastage, improving water use efficiency and adhering to the principle of “Har Khet Ko Paani”.
Focus on the Ropeway Project
The 2.3 km-long ropeway project, launched on Mount Girnar, takes pride of place as Asia’s longest temple ropeway. Key landmarks of Mount Girnar include the Gorakhnath peak, Guru Dattatreya peak, and a Jain temple. This is the fourth ropeway in Gujarat, joining the ranks of existing ones in Banaskantha, Pavagadh, and Satpura.
Aimed at boosting adventure activities and state tourism, the ropeway is expected to create employment opportunities for local communities. It complements attractive tourist sites such as the Shivarajpur beach with its blue flag certification, and the landmark Statue of Unity.