###Devas Project Phase–III & IV Receive Stage-1 Clearance

A major milestone has been achieved in securing the drinking water needs of Udaipur’s future generations. The long-awaited and ambitious Devas Phase-III and Devas Phase-IV water supply projects have received Stage-1 environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.

This achievement is not merely an administrative formality—it is being viewed as a direct result of the continuous efforts, personal involvement, and high-level advocacy of Punjab Governor Shri Gulabchand Kataria. By prioritizing Udaipur’s water crisis at both the state and national level, Governor Kataria closely monitored every stage of the project. He held discussions with Union Ministers and senior officials, accelerating the long-pending forest clearance process that had been stalled for years. His effective intervention ensured that the approval was granted in a comparatively shorter time.

Superintending Engineer Manoj Jain of the Water Resources Department, Udaipur, shared project details:

Devas Phase-III

A dam with 703 MCFT capacity will be constructed near Nathiyathal village in Gogunda tehsil.

Water will be transported to Devas-II (Aakodara Dam) through a 10.50 km long tunnel.

From there, it will be carried to Lake Pichola through the existing system.

Devas Phase-IV

A 390 MCFT capacity dam will be built near Amba village.

Water will reach Devas-III through a 4.15 km long tunnel, connecting the entire system.

Once these projects are completed, Udaipur will receive uninterrupted drinking water for several decades. They will also help maintain stable water levels in the city's historical lakes—Pichola, Fatehsagar, and Swaroop Sagar. This will not only strengthen the region’s ecological balance but also rejuvenate tourism and the local economy.

Expressing his satisfaction over the Stage-1 approval, Governor Kataria said that Udaipur’s lakes are not just water reservoirs but precious cultural heritage. These projects will provide a long-term solution to the drinking water crisis while preserving the dignity and legacy of the lakes. He also thanked the central government and the officials involved for their cooperation.