PM Modi hails work under Mission Amrit Sarovar, 40,000 water bodies developed

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the achievement of around 40,000 water bodies having been developed under the Mission Amrit Sarovar in the last 11 months, saying the speed at which work is being done in this direction infuses new energy in our resolves of 'Amrit Kaal'.

Around 40,000 water bodies have been developed under the Mission in the last 11 months, achieving around 80 percent of the target under the scheme, according to the Rural Development Ministry.

In a tweet, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Mission Amrit Sarovar is moving towards achieving its goal. “More than 40,000 Amrit Sarovars have been dedicated to the nation. There is a target of constructing 50,000 Amrit Sarovars by August 15, 2023,” he said.

Responding to Shekhawat's tweet, Modi said on Twitter, “Many congratulations! The speed with which 'Amrit Sarovars' are being constructed across the country is infusing new energy in our resolutions of 'Amrit Kaal'.”

Amrit Kaal, which roughly translates to Golden era, refers to the 25-year period from 75 years to 100 years of India's independence.

The Mission launched by Prime Minister Modi on April 24 last year aims at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

The total number of Amrit Sarovars to be developed under the scheme is around 50,000, which was set to be completed by August 15 this year.

Responding to a tweet on a Gujarat tourism promotional video, Modi said, “A lovely thread on Kutch. When the deadly quake struck in 2001, people wrote obituaries of Kutch but there is something remarkable about the people of this district. They rose again and propelled the district to new heights. Today Kutch is a great destination for tourism.”

Hailing the development of Ladakh getting GI tag for its wood carving, Modi said this will make Ladakh's cultural traditions even more popular and benefit artisans.
Modi also responded to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who said that Golden Jubilee Border Illumination Programme is in sync with the vision of the PM that border villages aren't the last but first to be transformed.

“Mago village in my Mukto assembly constituency is witnessing a new dawn.As many as 50 stand-alone mini and micro hydel projects will be developed near the international border with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, ensuring 24x7 power supply to villagers and border guarding forces,” Khandu said.

Tagging Khandu's tweet, Modi said, “A welcome development in the border areas, which will empower those living in border villages.”

Modi also responded to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's tweet on City Gas Distribution Network taking massive strides to offer convenient and affordable fuel.

“From just 66 districts in 2014, CGD network covers 630 districts in 2023; taking the number of domestic PNG connections from merely 25.40 lakhs in 2014 to a whopping 103.93 lakhs now,” Puri said.

Reacting to it, Modi said these were good numbers and he appreciates all those who worked hard over the years to make this coverage happen.
In another tweet, Modi said AIIMS Mangalagiri crossing 10 lakh outpatient consultations is a good achievement by the institution.

“In one of the recent Mann Ki Baat programmes I had discussed this issue including interaction with a doctor and someone who has benefitted from tele-consultations,” the prime minister said.

Modi also responded to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's tweet on Madhavpur Mela.

“Great cultural synergy between Gujarat and the Northeast thanks to the Madhavpur Mela,” Modi said.