Work begins for revival of historic Ramgarh lake near Jaipur

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| Photo Credit: Rohit Jain Paras

Work has started for revival of the historic Ramgarh lake near Jaipur, which was once a lifeline for water supply to the Rajasthan Capital. The water body, situated 32 km away from here, has been dry since 2000, as numerous encroachments and obstructions in the catchment area have halted the free flow of water to the Ramgarh dam.

For drinking purpose

Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat laid the foundation stone for repair and beautification works at the dam over the weekend, while pointing out that water was proposed to be brought from the Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal link project. The water will be supplied to the dam mainly for drinking purpose.

The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project has been integrated with the Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal link project and included in the national perspective plan by the special committee constituted for river linking. The memorandum of agreement for the link project’s implementation was signed between the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments on December 17, 2024.

As part of the link project, a provision has been made to supply water to the large and medium irrigation projects and dams located in the project area on the basis of technical and financial feasibility. Works worth ₹2.53 crore are proposed to be implemented at Ramgarh dam during the next 12 months.

The works which will be completed at the dam before the water supply begins include the repair of damaged road on the embankment, construction of parapet wall, repair of the damaged control room building and stairs towards the dam’s submergence area, and stone pitching at the slope.

Mr. Rawat said the State government would leave no stone unturned in reviving the Ramgarh lake and would preserve the dam’s heritage structure with constant monitoring. He asked the officials of his department to complete the works in the stipulated timeframe while ensuring their quality.

Jaipur Rural MP Rao Rajendra Singh was among those present on the occasion. Agitations for protection of the dam’s catchment area have been taken up several times in the past with the villagers and farmers of the region staging sit-in with the demand for an immediate removal of encroachments.

The State government had earlier identified and removed the obstructions and encroachments on 323.30 hectares of land near the dam. The anicuts and check dams of more than 2-metre height were demolished and their height was limited to two metres, as per the Rajasthan High Court’s direction.

Erstwhile Jaipur ruler Sawai Ram Singh II had built the Ramgarh lake in 1876 to provide relief to the inhabitants of the region. It was the main source of water supply to Jaipur city at one time and was also a popular picnic spot during the rainy season. The rowing events of the 1982 Asian Games were held in Ramgarh lake.