India, Netherlands sign MoUs for cooperation on Kalpasar project

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti signed two tripartite MoUs with the Netherlands for technical cooperation and capacity building for the Kalpasar project in Gujarat on September 24.

• The project envisages creation of a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water conveyed from the Narmada River.

• The MoUs were signed between the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Kalpasar Department of the Gujarat government and the Dutch knowledge institutions, Deltares and TU Delft, on the sidelines of the ninth India International Water Week (IIWW) in New Delhi.

• The ninth IIWW is held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from September 22 to 26, with “Climate Resilient Water Management” as its theme. 

Key features of the Kalpasar Project:

• Project Name: The Gulf of Khambhat Development Project, popularly known as the Kalpasar Project.

• Objective: To create one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs by constructing a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat.

• Water Sources: The reservoir will be filled by the runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi, and Dhadhar rivers, and will also be supplemented by water from the Narmada River.

• Primary Benefit: It aims to mitigate water scarcity in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat by providing a reliable source of freshwater for irrigation and other needs.

• Renewable Energy Component: The project envisages a plan to develop approximately 2,470 MW of hybrid renewable energy capacity on reclaimed land. This energy will be used for pumping freshwater to coastal irrigation areas.

• Infrastructure Component: A highway-cum-rail corridor is also proposed to be built over the dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, enhancing connectivity.