Agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods have received a new boost
in Raipur. Under Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai's vision of good governance and participatory development, the state government's water conservation and promotion policy and the effective implementation of public welfare schemes like MNREGA are reviving water sources in every village. A powerful example of this visionary approach was seen in Bunga, a village panchayat in Pusaur district, where the deepening and restoration of the Gatwa pond was successfully completed under the MNREGA scheme. This work is not only a major step towards resolving the water crisis but also a milestone in rural livelihoods, agriculture, and economic empowerment.
Previously, the Gatwa pond would nearly dry up during the summer, severely impacting drainage, irrigation, and animal husbandry. Following a site inspection by a technical team, the pond was identified for deepening, and the district administration granted administrative approval of ₹8.96 lakh.

This work, conducted under MNREGA, generated approximately 3,292 man-days, providing employment to local laborers. The rocky and gravelly soil at the site required additional labor and time, but with excellent coordination between the Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat, and District Administration, the work was completed in a timely and quality manner. The deepening significantly increased the pond's water storage capacity, enabling maximum rainwater harvesting.
After the restoration, the pond is now proving extremely useful for irrigation, fisheries, drainage, and other economic activities. Increased irrigation facilities in the surrounding fields have improved agricultural production, while fisheries are providing additional income opportunities for the villagers. Following the completion of the work, there is an atmosphere of excitement in the village. The villagers expressed their gratitude to the district administration and the Chhattisgarh government, especially Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, for the relief they received from the water crisis. They believe this initiative will ensure water security for future generations. Gatwa Pond, which was on the verge of drying up before work began, now appears full of water, a powerful example of good governance, planned implementation, and public participation. This effort by Gram Panchayat Bunga has emerged as an inspirational model for other Gram Panchayats.