The Kalpasar Dam is envisioned as a landmark infrastructure project designed to create a vast freshwater reservoir in the Gulf of Khambhat, supporting the long-term water security needs of Gujarat. The project involves constructing a large barrier across the gulf to collect and store water from major rivers including the Sabarmati, Mahi, Narmada, and Dhadhar. With the ability to hold a substantial quantity of freshwater, the reservoir will serve multiple purposes such as drinking water supply, industrial usage, and agricultural support. Alongside resource development, the project aims to improve regional resilience and ensure reliable water availability for future generations.
In addition to its water-storage benefits, Kalpasar Dam is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Saurashtra and South Gujarat. A multi-lane road built across the dam will shorten travel distances and reduce transportation time between key regions, enhancing trade, mobility, and social integration. The improved road link will contribute to smoother movement of goods and people, supporting major economic corridors and reducing dependency on traditional, longer routes. This enhanced connectivity is projected to stimulate business growth and attract further investment across coastal and inland districts.
The project also holds major potential for developing both freshwater and marine fisheries by creating new, sustainable habitats. With proposed hatcheries and resource-management systems, the initiative is set to support local fishermen and boost fish production across newly formed water zones. By ensuring a dependable irrigation source, the Kalpasar Dam will also assist farmers in maintaining stable crop cycles throughout the year. Overall, the project is expected to drive balanced growth by supporting agriculture, industry, transportation, and local livelihoods while strengthening Gujarat’s long-term water and economic infrastructure.
Once the Gulf is enclosed, the water levels inside the reservoir can be regulated independently, while natural tidal movements will continue on the outer side. This design makes it possible to generate tidal energy efficiently. In addition to freshwater storage and renewable power production, the Kalpasar Project also focuses on land reclamation, enhanced regional connectivity, and the expansion of fisheries. The project plans to create a vast freshwater reservoir by capturing excess water from multiple rivers flowing into the gulf, ensuring a reliable water source for various future needs.
➤ Initial groundwork for the Kalpasar Project began in the early 2000s, with substantial funding allocated toward feasibility assessments, technical surveys, and environmental evaluations. By 2018, extensive studies had been undertaken to understand the long-term benefits and challenges of constructing the freshwater reservoir.
➤ Out of the detailed feasibility components, several ecological, social, and hydrological surveys have been completed, while additional studies continue to refine project planning. The remaining technical evaluations are expected to conclude over the next few years, shaping the final project structure.
➤ Preparations for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) have advanced steadily, focusing on reservoir design, dam alignment, water management, and upstream–downstream impact analysis. Authorities expect the DPR to guide phased execution once clearances are finalized.
➤ Environmental and regulatory approvals are progressing, with multiple agencies reviewing the project’s implications for coastal zones, river systems, and regional biodiversity. These reviews will determine the final conditions under which construction can begin.
➤ Parallel infrastructure components, including the Bhadbhut Barrage, have already moved into construction phases to support broader water management goals associated with the Kalpasar initiative.
➤ Over 30,000 MCM of Narmada river water drains into the sea annually due to limited storage capacity; the Kalpasar Project aims to capture this surplus to strengthen Gujarat’s long-term water security.
➤ The proposed dam alignment has been modified to optimize design, shifting its route to ensure minimal land impact while improving overall project feasibility.
➤ The project includes extensive canal networks and irrigation channels planned for Saurashtra, helping farms receive reliable freshwater supply from the future Kalpasar reservoir.