Palanpur : Vedancha village in Palanpur taluka of Banaskantha district with a population of 4500 has become an inspiration for other villages, Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) Vedancha village has set an excellent example for other villages of the state by performing excellent work in liquid waste management and gray water treatment. 2 lakh liters of water used in daily life by 30% of the households in Vedancha village flowed into the village lake, which caused several diseases. There was an urgent need to dispose of this water. As a result, Gray water treatment plant has been started with the help of District Rural Development Agency with positive attitude and public awareness. The water is being made usable for agriculture through treating gray water as well as groundwater is being recharged, due to which farmers are also getting water for irrigation. Established at a cost of Rs. 5 lakhs, this plant is a mixed form of detox and waste stabilization pond plant as per the guidelines of Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural). Simple and inexpensive technology has been used in this plant. With the help of this plant organic fertilizer is produced. Approx. 5.5 to 6 tons of organic fertilizer is produced in 25 days and is packed and sold by village co-operative society. Each bag is filled with 30 kg of fertilizer and sold for at a cost of Rs. 200. Through which Gram Panchayat earns about Rs. 40,000 to 45,000 per month from the sale of organic fertilizer. As a result, the gram panchayat has become self-reliant. This plant has provided employment opportunities to the people of the village.
In addition, as many as 18 families in the village have built their own soak pit to dispose of kitchen and bathroom water. Soak pits have been set up at various places in the village. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) Government provides grant of Rs. 280 per person to Gram Panchayat for Liquid Waste Management in a village with a population of up to 5000 and a grant of Rs. 660 per person to Gram Panchayat for a village with a population of above 5000. Director of Banaskantha District Rural Development Agency R.I. Shaikh said that, the specialty of the gray-water treatment unit constructed in Vandecha village is that, this model is based on simple technology, which can be easily installed and maintained. Sarpanch of Vedancha village Becharbhai Bhatia said that, with the installation of this plant our has become more clean and beautiful as well earning monthly income has made our village self-sufficient
