Kalpasar Project

About Kalpasar Project

• It is a multipurpose initiative aimed at providing water for irrigation and industrial and domestic use in the water-stressed Saurashtra region of Gujarat. 
• It envisages the creation of one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs through the construction of a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat.
• Initiative by: It is an ambitious water resources initiatives of the Government of Gujarat. 
  • Assisted by: The Netherlands is collaborating with India by providing technical expertise and engineering support for the Kalpasar Project.
• Features of the project:
  • The project includes the construction of a 60.13 km long dam across the Gulf, from Aladar (eastern side) to near Bhavnagar (western side).
    • Out of which about 26.7 km length will be in the Gulf (sea portion), and 33.43 km length is extended on both flanks up to the nearest road across the Gulf of Khambhat.
  • It includes a proposed highway-cum-rail corridor over the dam across the Gulf of Khambhat.
    • As per the present project layout, the corridor is expected to reduce the travel distance between Bhavnagar and Surat by approximately 179 km, from about 356 km through the existing land route to about 177 km via the proposed dyke corridor, thereby improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time.
  • The project envisages development of approximately 2,470 MW of hybrid renewable energy capacity on reclaimed land that is presently submerged during high tide.
    • The renewable energy generated is proposed to be utilized for pumping freshwater to meet irrigation requirements in the coastal regions of Saurashtra.
  • This reservoir will receive water from four major rivers – Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar and Narmada – and seven minor rivers – Wadhwan Bhogavo, Limbdi Bhogavo, Sukhbhadar, Utavli, Keri, Ghelo, and Kalubhar.
    • For this, a diversion canal is planned at the Bhadbhut barrage on the Narmada River to divert its additional water into the reservoir.
• Benefits:
  • Environmental benefits: The project is expected to improve groundwater conditions, protect tidal-affected areas, reduce coastal salinity, and reclaim approximately 1.76 lakh hectares of land.
  • Renewable energy: Kalpasar has the potential to generate 1,000 MW of solar power and 1,500 MW of wind power, helping meet the project’s energy requirements.
  • Livelihoods: The freshwater reservoir is expected to replace marine fisheries with freshwater fisheries, increasing annual fish production from 2,000 tons in the initial stages to 20,000 tons at full development.
  • Transport & connectivity: It includes plans for a flood regulator, a 16-lane roadway, and a 4-lane rail corridor, reducing the travel distance across the Gulf from 240 km to 60 km.