New Delhi: India and the Netherlands have taken a major step towards accelerating Gujarat’s ambitious Kalpasar Project, with both countries signing a new agreement focused on technical cooperation and water management expertise. The development gained momentum during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Netherlands, where he inspected the country’s iconic Afsluitdijk water management system alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The 32 kilometre Afsluitdijk barrier dam, considered one of the Netherlands’ greatest engineering achievements, drew particular interest due to its similarities with Gujarat’s proposed Kalpasar Project. The structure’s advanced marine engineering and flood control systems are expected to provide valuable guidance for India’s long pending freshwater reservoir initiative.
To formalise the collaboration, India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent aimed at strengthening technical cooperation for the project. The agreement is expected to help India benefit from more than nine decades of Dutch experience in marine dam construction, coastal protection, and water management technologies.
Originally conceived during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat chief minister, the Kalpasar Project proposes building a massive dam across the Gulf of Khambhat. The plan involves storing water from seven rivers that currently flow into the Arabian Sea, creating a large freshwater reservoir intended to improve water availability across drought prone regions of Gujarat.
The project is designed to provide long term water security for drinking and irrigation needs while reducing dependence on the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Despite its strategic importance, implementation has faced repeated delays because of the enormous marine engineering challenges involved.
Fresh momentum has emerged in recent months following discussions between Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerards regarding the formation of a joint Indo Dutch expert group to address technical hurdles.
Once completed, the project is expected to irrigate nearly 10 lakh hectares across Saurashtra, significantly cut travel time between South Gujarat and Saurashtra, and generate substantial wind and solar energy while supporting fisheries and tourism development.
