The Gujarat government on Sunday launched “Nadi Utsav” or river festival to raise awareness about the contribution of rivers in the state’s development as well as their conservation.
Beginning the five-day program with prayers on the banks of the Tapi river in Surat on Sunday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Rivers are our valuable asset… they are the only source of pure and clean water. It is our duty to protect and save the rivers, which are the lifeline of our future generations.”
State BJP President CR Patil and Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshan Jardosh were also present in the program organized under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
“It is the duty of the government to preserve the rivers and develop public facilities on their banks. The state government has developed the facility of unity cruise and river rafting on the banks of river Narmada at Kevadiya. Similarly, the Sabarmati Riverfront has also been developed for the people.
Elaborating on the state government’s commitment for the development of the Tapi Riverfront project, Patel said, “Industries should play their part in conservation and protection by not dumping untreated waste into the river.” He also appealed to the citizens to preserve the rivers.
On the second day of the Good Governance Week organized as part of the birth anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects by Surat Municipal Corporation.