Kalpasar Project

The Gulf of Khambat is at the right-lower-center of the map of Gujarat on the Arabian Sea.

The Kalpasar Project envisages building a dam across the Gulf of Khambat for establishing a huge fresh water reservoir for irrigation, drinking and industrial purposes. A 10 lane road link will also be set up over the dam, greatly reducing the distance between Saurashtra and South Gujarat.[1]

History

The Gulf of Khambhat was identified as a promising site for tidal power generation by UNDP Expert, Mr. Eric Wilson in the year 1975. Successive governments were then presented in details the possibility of a project, aptly named Kalpasar Project by its visionary Dr. Anil Kane, who conceptualised it in 80s as a feasible project. In 1988-89 a reconnaissance report was prepared for the dam across the Gulf of Khambhat. The report concluded that, assuming sound foundation conditions, the closure of the Gulf was technically feasible.

It was reported that construction will begin in 2014.[2]

Economics

A state government release said the Rs 55,000 crore (US$ 11.7 billion) project, to be completed by 2020, will have a vast fresh water reservoir with gross storage of 16,791 million cubic metres of water, 64 km long dam across the Gulf of Khambhat connecting Ghogha in Bhavnagar with Hansot in Bharuch District, reducing the distance between the two by 225 km. It will have tidal power generation house with an installed capacity of 5,880 MW. Another estimate was given by the Government in October, 2010 which stated the proposed dam to be build just north of Bhavnagar in the west to Alandar in Dahej on the east.[3]

Current status

See also

References

Coordinates: 21°27′21″N 72°24′57″E / 21.45583°N 72.41583°E / 21.45583; 72.41583

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