Kalpasar Project

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

India and the Netherlands have recently signed a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation on the proposed Kalpasar Project.

Kalpasar Project – It is a multipurpose initiative of the Gujarat government that plans to build a massive dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, creating Asia’s largest freshwater reservoir.
Aim – To provide water for irrigation, industrial and domestic use in the water-stressed Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Collaboration – Between the Gujarat State Government & the Netherlands Engineering Consultants (NEDECO) Company.
Origin – It can be traced back to 1955, when a Dutch company, NEDECO, suggested a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat during land reclamation studies in Saurashtra.
2022 Pre‑Feasibility Report – It highlighted potential to rejuvenate local channels, recharge groundwater, and replenish more than 60 existing dams with fresh water.
Geographic Suitability – The Gulf of Khambhat has a very high tidal range of approximately 13 meters & also velocity often crossing more than 3m/s, making the Gulf ideal for dam construction.

• Kalpasar Project

Features

Dam & reservoir infrastructure – A dam across the Gulf of Khambhat is proposed to harness the waters of 7 rivers flowing into the sea.
Freshwater storage & irrigation – Reservoir capacity has approximately 7,800 million cubic meters, among the largest freshwater reservoirs globally.
It will provide irrigation water to nine districts of Saurashtra, covering a total of around 10.54 lakh hectares of land.
River integration & water diversion
- Major rivers feeding the reservoir – Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar, Narmada.
- Minor rivers – Wadhwan Bhogavo, Limbdi Bhogavo, Sukhbhadar, Utavli, Keri, Ghelo, Kalubhar.
- Diversion canal – Planned at Bhadbhut barrage on Narmada to channel surplus water into the reservoir.
Benefits
It is expected to improve groundwater conditions in the surrounding districts, protect tidal-affected areas, and reduce salinity in the coastal region.
It suggests land reclamation of approximately 1.76 lakh hectares.
It is expected to generate 1,500 MW of wind energy and 1,000 MW of solar energy.
The creation of the freshwater reservoir will replace marine fisheries with freshwater fish.
It also aims to boost development and tourism in the region.

Reference