Kalpasar DPR nears finalisation — Bhavnagar–Surat distance set to halve

The Centre told the Rajya Sabha that the Detailed Project Report for the Gulf of Khambhat (Kalpasar) Project is at an advanced stage. A highway-cum-rail corridor over the dam would cut Bhavnagar–Surat from about 356 km to roughly 177 km.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Gujarat's Gulf of Khambhat (Kalpasar) Project is at an advanced stage of finalisation, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Replying to a question in the House, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said the project — as informed by the Government of Gujarat — envisages the creation of one of the world's largest coastal freshwater reservoirs, formed by a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat.

A freshwater reservoir for Saurashtra

The project is expected to significantly enhance freshwater availability and help address water scarcity in the Saurashtra region, providing a reliable source of water for irrigation and other identified uses.

The DPR incorporates engineering measures, hydraulic studies and salinity management strategies to address salinity ingress, the Centre said.

A corridor that halves the Bhavnagar–Surat drive

Besides water storage, the project proposes a highway-cum-rail corridor over the dam. Under the present project layout, that corridor would reduce the travel distance between Bhavnagar and Surat by around 179 kilometres — from about 356 km on the existing land route down to roughly 177 km via the proposed dyke corridor, improving regional connectivity and cutting travel time.

2,470 MW of hybrid renewables

The project also envisages developing around 2,470 MW of hybrid renewable energy capacity on reclaimed land that remains submerged at high tide. The power generated is proposed to be used, among other purposes, for pumping freshwater to meet irrigation requirements in the coastal regions of Saurashtra.

Indo-Dutch technical cooperation

The Centre said the ongoing Indo-Dutch technical cooperation is expected to strengthen the DPR by incorporating international best practices and advanced expertise in coastal engineering, hydraulic modelling, salinity management, climate resilience and water resource management. The collaboration is intended to improve the technical robustness of the project and support informed decision-making during implementation.

The information was provided in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: DD India.