The sacred Kshipra River, which flows through Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh and serves as a central point of faith for millions of devotees, especially during the Simhastha festival, is set to maintain a continuous flow throughout the year. Regardless of the season—rain, winter, or the scorching heat of summer—the banks of the Kshipra will no longer run dry. Devotees will always have access to the holy river for bathing, even in the hottest months.
To ensure this, the state government has approved the Sevarkhedi-Silarkhedi project, which aims to maintain the river’s water flow all year long. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of 614 crore 53 lakh rupees, will create a dam capable of storing sufficient water to be released into the Kshipra continuously. This initiative will prevent any shortage of water in the river.
The state cabinet gave the green light to this proposal on Tuesday. As part of the project, the height of the Silarkhedi reservoir will be increased, enhancing its water storage capacity. This stored water will not only keep the Kshipra River flowing but will also help maintain its cleanliness. Additionally, water will be stored in the Chitavad mega project, providing irrigation facilities to 18,800 hectares of land across approximately 65 villages.
Currently, there is no natural source of water flowing into the Kshipra River from its origin to its flowing area. As a result, the river dries up during the summer months. To address this, the cabinet has also approved a revised administrative budget of Rs 49 crore 94 lakh for a micro irrigation system. This system will lift water from the Pipariya branch canal to irrigate the remaining command area of the Dokrikheda reservoir in the Narmadapuram district, covering a catchment area of 2,940 hectares. This project is expected to irrigate 2,000 hectares of land.
The Cabinet also approved the construction of logistics park in state’s Dhar district. Under the Bharatmala Project, a Multi-Modal Logistics Park will be established in Tehsil Pithampur, District Dhar. This park will have container lifting facilities and will be connected to the railway network. It will facilitate efficient transportation and logistics operations. The project will be developed with an investment of Rs 758 crore under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is expected to create employment opportunities for over 4,500 people.
As part of the park’s establishment, a special compensation package has been approved for farmers in the affected village of Jamodi.
These strategic initiatives by the state government will not only ensure the preservation of the holy Kshipra River but also boost economic growth and job creation in the region, thereby benefiting both devotees and local residents alike.
