The entire Dehradun district will receive 24-hour water supply after construction of the proposed Saung dam project at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore. The project will also result in saving about Rs 100 crore in electricity costs, said Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
On Saturday, the Chief Minister visited the Dhanaulti Vidhan Sabha constituency to inspect the site in Suandhna village marked for construction of the Saung dam drinking water project. Averring that the State Government is working with a long term view, he said that construction of this project will facilitate round the clock water supply in Dehradun district at a time when rising population pressure is resulting in water supply related issues in urban areas. The areas around the dam project will be developed as a tourist destination.
Further, it was stated that a target has been set for completing work on this project in 350 days. Stating that Saung project will facilitate supply of water up to the Raipur area, Rawat said that the State Government is moving ahead towards long-term and sustainable solutions. He further said that the Saung dam area will be developed as a tourism valley. A cluster of 20 to 25 water mills will also be built in this area.
Stating that this project has also elicited appreciation from the Government of India, he said that this dam project could be a model project for the nation.
The technology being used in the construction of the Saung dam project will enable continuous work round the clock except during the rains. The dam and its reservoir would become a new centre for tourism, which will also provide decent income generation opportunities to the local people, said the Chief Minister. Rawat directed the officials concerned to ensure that the families affected by the construction of this project are provided with good facilities. Dehradun mayor Sunil Uniyal ‘Gama’, chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, Irrigation secretary Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, Finance secretary Amit Singh Negi, Dehradun district magistrate SA Murugesan, Tehri district magistrate Sonika and other officials concerned were also among those present on the occasion.
