The great poet Rahim had said "Sans water, sans life". It is all the more pertinent for Mount Abu. This is because Mount Abu depends completly on the mercy of rain gods for its water supply. If they smile, Mount Abu thrives and if they frown it is thorn-crown for the whole year, till they are pleased with the havanas!

The story of unease does not end here. Even if rain gods are pleased with prayers, the present storage capacity of available rain water is a constant cause of concern for one and all.

The government of Rajasthan had long ago approved Salagaon Dam scheme to facilitate rain water storage. However, the scheme could not be implemented till date. Thankfully, the much-awaited D-day had finally came. A central government team will be arriving on February 16 from Delhi to have the concluding dekko and wave the green flag for the project.

Mount Abu really needed water reservoir for drinking water since a long time ,along with an increase in the local population, the influx of visitors from within the country and outside has also multiplied many folds. The last year saw more than 1.5 million visitors - more than any city in Rajasthan.

Notably, Mt. Abu has been making rapid strides to improve infrastructure for its civic amenities. the new roads in this tiny hill hamlet serve as the best example. Once 33 K.V. line from Anaadra to Mount Abu by the CEC (the Central Empowerment Committee of the Apex Court Of India) is approved, infrastructure development will gain momentum. Load shedding will be a passe when the line starts working.

With this, if the Salgaon Dam project materializes, categorically, Municipal Chairman Jalam Giri would become the proverbial Bhagirath that the ever indebted tiny hill hamlet would remember forever!

Source: TOI Author: Mr. A.K. Sharma